Pravda.RU

WCO, EurAsEc sign memo of understanding

18:50 2004-06-26

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Eurasian Economic Community
(EurAsEC) that comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and
Kyrghyzstan (Ukraine, Armenia, and Moldova have observer statuses) signed a
memorandum of understanding in Brussels on Friday. The document was signed
by WCO General Director Michel Danet and EurAsEC Secretary General Grigory
Rapota.

The chief of the WCO that groups 162 countries was pleased that the memo was
signed, the initiative that was supported by Russia’s State Customs
Committee.

Mr. Danet said to representatives of the EurAsEC countries that now on the
WCO could accept requests, raise funds and implement programs to reform the
national customs services thereby promoting economic growth.

“We have been cooperating with the WCO for two years now. EurAsEC has been
granted the status of its regional customs center,” said Mr. Rapota.

The five member-countries are working to create the single economic space
within EurAsEC, Mr. Rapota told RIA Novosti. “There is the council of
customs chiefs that is dealing with the problem. Since EurAsEC is not a
closed club it seeks cooperation with the whole of the international
community. The memorandum with the WCO is therefore a step towards achieving
this goal,” said Mr. Rapota.

Mr. Rapota emphasized that the WCO had singled out the Russian Customs
Academy as a regional center for training customs experts.

© RIAN