CIS customs services discuss simplification of customs procedures

ITAR-TASS, Russia
June 4 2004

YEREVAN, June 3 (Itar-Tass) – The simplification of customs procedures
and the fight with contraband were prioritised at the 39th meeting
of the council of the heads of CIS customs services in the Armenian
capital, Mikhail Vanin, the chairman of the council and the chairman
of the State Customs Committee told Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
on Thursday.

At the meeting with the Armenian president Vanin noted that much
work has been done for ten years since the council’s foundation. The
trade between the CIS states is growing every year that points to
the gradual elimination of administrative barriers, the chairman of
the State Customs Committee emphasised. The customs processing of
energy supplies from Armenia to Georgia was considered at the meeting
involving Armen Avetisyan’s Armenian government, Vanin pointed out.
This caused by the fact that energy losses during its supplies are
not always correctly determined.

Avetisyan noted that the common system of 12 CIS states that was
adopted at the previous council in Moscow allows monitoring the cargo
transit via third countries. Thus the operational information about
the movement of transit cargoes is obtained and their losses are
practically ruled out.

It was also decided to create common methods of customs statistics.