ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - The EUR2-million segment of the "Integrated Border Management" project on the strengthening of institutional and administrative abilities of the Croatian customs service was launched at a meeting in Zagreb on
Friday.
ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - The EUR2-million segment of the
"Integrated Border Management" project on the strengthening of
institutional and administrative abilities of the Croatian customs
service was launched at a meeting in Zagreb on Friday. #L#
The customs service is one of the three components of the EUR10.5
million project, which also includes components on the
strengthening of institutional and administrative abilities of
border police, and on the strengthening of cooperation among the
services.
The project is part of the European Union's CARDS programme and is
co-ordinated and used by the Croatian Customs Administration.
The customs component is being implemented in co-operation with the
Austrian customs service, as suggested by the EU, Customs
Administration director Antun Uljar said at the meeting.
The purpose of the project is to facilitate the movement of people
and goods, with emphasis on intensifying cooperation among border
services and having the Croatian border secured better.
Croatia's joining the EU means joining a customs union and that
segment of the country's state administration must be ready to meet
all requirements before admission itself, Uljar said.
The implementation of the project started in March, since when
Croatian customs officers have attended a number of seminars, and
workshops and gone on study tours in order to become acquainted with
the experience of their Austrian colleagues.
Changes which this project will bring about are in line with a bill
on state border control, which the government yesterday forwarded
to parliament to be discussed under urgent procedure, and which
defines the standards of the Schengen regime.
(hina) rml