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Meeting of Steering Committee on implementation of GUAM Trade and Transportation Faciliation Project was held

On May 16 the 6 th meeting of the Steering Committee on the implementation of the GUAM Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project was held in the Cresent Beach hotel in Baku.
Let`s note that on May 15 the meeting of experts on GUAM Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project was held as well/. Experts discussed being considered issues in the 6th meeting of the Steering Committee and prepared the Protocol project of the authoritative meeting.
Thus, the result of the fulfilment of the accepted decisions in the held 5 th meeting of this organization On May 12, 2006 in the city of Kiyev, listening of lectures on countries connected with the fulfilment of the Project on Trade and Transportation Facilitation, the implementation of the authoritative project, the harmonization of the legislation in the border and customs spheres, the application of the information system and technologies, the development of the check points infrastructure, the facilitation of border and customs clearance, the struggle measures against smuggling and violation of the customs legislation, the protection of the mental property and the development of the GUAM transit system etc were discussed on the agenda of the 6 th meeting of the Steering Committee on the implementation of the GUAM Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project.
Participants of the 6 th meeting at the Steering Committee on the implementation of the GUAM Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project visited the Alley of Honours remembered the memory of the architect and creator of the contemporary Azerbaijan state, national leader Heydar Aliyev, laid a wreath at grave.
Then guests visited the Avenue of Martyrs remembered memory of heroes of our native land who gave their life for independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan laid fresh flowers on their graves.
On the same day the Vice-Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, customs service Lieutenant -General Asgar Abdullayev opening the meeting on behalf on the leadership of the Committee greeted measure participants and wished successes to them in the activity of the meeting. The SCC Vice-Chairman noted that as result at the well-considered and farsighted policy and today as a result of successfully implemented that policy by the country President Ilham Aliyev the foundation of the Azerbaijan statehood and economic development was laid down. The integration of our republic into unternational organization is being successfully continued.
Asgar Abdullayev said that there was ideal basis for the improvement of the GUAM cooperation, facilitation of transit procedures and for the effective struggle against international criminality. He emphasized that during previous years thanks to joint initiatives important decisions on some issues were taken. All these side by side will be useful for participiant states and will completely meet requirements of long duration plans.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev highly valued the plans of the GUAM in the summit in Kiev. Asgar Abdullayev noted that these plans will be recongnized in the international arena and turn into an effective organization in our region. He said that the close cooperation of customs and border offices of GUAM countries will give a push for the trade development in the framework of the region, provide endless stream of commodities and services through borders. And it will in turn show its influence to application programmes of border control forms and liberalization of trade.
Asgar Abdullayev said that corresponding to international standards the harmonozation of the border and customs procedures had a great importance. According to his words the analysis of the advanced world practice and application on mentioned services will considerably help for transborder transportation of people and cargoes.
The Vice-Chairman of the SCC said that the customs cooperation of Azerbaijan plays an important role in the GUAM framework. He expressed with assurance that the Facilitation Project for Trade and Transportation will be very important in the trade relation development between GUAM states:
— Taking efforts of the world unity in the struggle direction against terrorism, transborder criminality and illegal migration into account I would like to note that favourable condition will be created for joining our efforts in the transport International road chain, in the aid activity for fight against terrorism and other dangers by the implementation of this project.
According to Asgar Abdullayev`s words one of the main goals of the customs services the application of the maximum facilitation measures of the trade without harm to the legal-protection activity. The Vice-Chairman of the SCC Asgar Abdullayev said that the facilitation of customs formalism, strengthening of the customs control, increase of effectiveness of customs regulation means of the foreign economic activity were provided by customs authorities. He said that the successful solution of these goals causes facilitation of transportations in the transit corridor, increase of competition opportunities of the GUAM transit corridor, making more attractive for its transportation, expansion of competition opportunities of natural economies, considerable economy of time and financial means of main transportation.
Then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov making a speech in the measure spoke on increasing role of safe effective transport corridor and transportation. He said that the active role of the GUAM in some international relations field was not already secret. Araz Azimov emphasized that the trade and transportation facilitation is the main direction in the GUAM frame. He noted that GUAM is the fundamental transport corridor connecting each other of countries either in the past or in the modern period and joining them in the future by natural and geographical point of view.
According to Araz Azimov`s opinion the territory of the GUAM countries play a role as a joint transport net. Soon the GUAM summit being held in Baku under the motto ŦGUAM joining continentsŧ and this summit will be organized in the large format by the participation of some states representing Europe, Asia, Near East and America continent.The orator emphasized that being represented international structures in this summit directly will render assistance for development of GUAM states. The orator noted that joining of other states in the development process of the transport in reality provides active joining going globalized processes of the world. Just therefore worked out safe and effective conception of transport corridors by the US support and starting this project since 2002 keeps step with realities of our day. Araz Azimov emphasized that political figures are also interested in the successful implementation of the project. According to Araz Azimov`s words the effectiveness and competition ability transport corridors also support for solution of some political matters. Side by side with this Araz Azimov said that it is time to think about creation of GUAM transport consortia. He didnlt exclude even getting new forms of the cooperation in the development process.
As future plans, the Deputy Minister of foreign affairs said that today the realization of the Transcaspian transportation depends on the development level of the GUAM transport infrastructure. He noted that this corridor joining Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine will play a bridge role between both seashore of Caspian.
The realization of the Transcaspian and East-West idea should be the main duty of the transportation structure.
Then the senior inspector of the International Customs Cooperation Department of the State Customs Service of the Republic of Ukraine Natalya Bilous made a speech on the first issue of the agenda. She said that with the object of the fulfilment of the fifth meeting decisions of the Steering Committee on the implementation of the GUAM Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project the implementaion of the three measures were entrusted to the Ukrainian side. First, Ukraine was involved in carried out some seminars on very topical theme by the Euroatlantic advisers group. According to Natalya Bilous`s words the Ukrainian specialists gained opportunity of the close familiarising with activity experience of foreign partners, coordinating the netional legislation to the European norms. In this direction, for example, customs valuation, transit and transit transport etc issues in the Republic of Lithuania side by side with carried out seminars by customs authorities, the Ukrainian Border Service employees also joining this kind measures considerably activized.
The second measure was the monitoring of the crossing time through border control procedures. According to Natalya Bilous`s words the measurement experiment of the crossing time in three different checkpoints of Ukrainia and Moldova was carried out. This time was coordinated with to the Ukrainian legislation, the maximal level considered in the normative basis.
But the third issue was the preparation of the project on giving beforehand information each -other of sides on transported commodities and means of transport through borders of Ukraine and Moldova. Natalya Bilous siad that the Moldavian side attained considerable advantage in this issue. She noted that the interoffices protocol on beforehand information was signed between Ukraine and Moldova. Very active work was carried out in the frame of fulfilment of this protocol. Some meetings were held./ The European Union Monitoring Mission functioning in the border of Ukraine and Moldova up today had a great support in the application of the mentioned protocol. Natalya Bilous said that they carried out the test of the information transition system in the experiment form. She also noted that this kind of protocols with the object of acception decision on perspectives of future activities in this direction were sent for consideration to Azerbaijan and Georgian sides as well.
Then the Chief of the Customs Control Organizational Head Office of the State Customs Committee, customs service Major-General Shahin Bagirov making a speech noted that there was convincing prove for increase of integration and cooperation role in the general development process of GUAM member countries of the last years economic realities. He also emphasized the distinctive place of customs services here:
—Our activity in the GUAM frame was directed to creation condition for movement of transit commodities without obstacle and it plays a great role in the development of the national economics level of the GUAM countries at the end.
The development of the institutional opportunities of customs and border offices, harmonization of customs and border control procedures corresponding to international standards, struggle against terrorism and transborder criminality, smuggling, violation of customs regulations and illegal migration, protection of mental property rights, choice and training of personal, improvement of professional training and other matters were moved out in the accepted National plan. The interoffice working group held in the planned form.
Then Shahin Bagirov said that he was the participant of the Commodities International Description and Codification Harmonized System of the Republic of Azerbaijan. At the same time he informed that he joined the international Facilitation and Identified Customs Procedures Convention (renewed Kioto Convention). He noted that the improvement matters of the normative-legal basis was always in the focus of attention. For example the new project of the Customs Code were prepared by the participation of the International experts. The European Union norms were attentively learned during the preparation period of the project. At present work is being continued at the last variant of the mentioned project.
According to Shahin Bagirov`s words, the main issue is the comprehensive aid for development of trade relations that it always shows itself in increase of import-export cargoes stream, speeding-up their customs clearance, improvement of transport services, facilitation of customs procedures and other matters. Shahin Bagirov said that the development of the cooperation of the GUAM countries in the struggle sphere against present dangers - illegal spreading of nuclear materials, weapon and drugs would be helper for the improvement of the national authority of the GUAM organization, gaining trust of this organization in the international arena. Shahin Bagirov noted that the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan received the Facilitation Frame Standards of the World Trade Organization Security and Global Trade and seriously obeys those principles in its activity.
Shahin Bagirov speaking on carried out activities in the improvement direction of the Azerbaijan customs system potential noted that the application activities of modern information technologies in the frame of the jointly prepared project ŦThe improvement of the Customs Service of the Republic of Azerbaijanŧ by the UN Development Programme are being continued at present. The Chief of the Head Office said that information guarantee in the centralized form by GUAM Information office providing operative and rational exchange of information between GUAM countries will meet requirements of security in the GUAM region. In the GUAM frame protection of borders and implementation of customs control joint initiatives will play an important role in the improvement of security of transport - communication corridor, at the same time will help for more speedily movement of cargoes by passing routes through GUAM countries territory and speeding-up the integration process of GUAM countries into European structures.
The deputy chief of the Incomes Service of the Republic of Georgia Irakliy Siradze speaking on the fulfilment of Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project noted that in connection with the reconstruction of the central administration of the Customs Department of Georgia the consideration of the National frame plan in the Ministry of Finance was put off the other date and the approval of the same plan was planned in the considered meeting on July 19 of this year of Cabinet of Ministers.
Irakliy Siradze said that at present the border and customs legislation of Georgia was completely coordinated with the European Union legislation and newly accepted the Customs Code of Georgia came in force on January 1 of this year.
As to use of information systems and technologies in the daily activity of customs officials of Georgia, Irakliy Siradze noted that in connection with this issue UN experts groups had been to Tbilisi and together with Georgian colleagues carried out definite work on the application of the ŦASYCUDA WORLDŧ computer programme. This Programme will completely work at the end of the 2007th year.
The deputy chief of the Incomes Service speaking on the development of the checkpoints infrastructure said that protection of borders, at the same time with the object of the maintaining of order in Georgia-Azerbaijan border field (Lagodekhi-Balakan) in the US corresponding programme frame the construction of the new customs checkpoint was started and this point will correspond to the European standards. According to Irakliy Siradze`s words definite activities were done in the Customs Service of Georgia and in other directions. For example, border and customs clearance were considerably simplificated, out of 16 customs regimes only 7 remained in force in the new Customs Code.
Irakliy Siradze speaking on the development matters of the transit system of the GUAM countries noted that as a result of the acceptance of the Customs Code in connection with transit of commodities some procedures were facilitated considerably. Customs clearance of transported commodities by a motor vehicle help of the electronic basis, sending of commodities to a definite address again are implemented by a telephone. At the same time excise lines were determined in ŦGirmizi korpuŧ, ŦGardabaniŧ, ŦPoti portŧ, ŦBatumi portŧ and ŦTbilisi airportŧ checkpoints.
The Deputy of the General Director of the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova Nikolay Bertincha emphasizing the vital inevitability of the regional cooperation between GUAM countries supporting modern social-economic realities noted that already it is not necessary to speak about cooperation principles, because all these issues were explained and the succession of the cooperation is approved once again the Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project is a reliable platform for the implementation of the most courageous plans in the modernization direction of customs and border offices in the region corresponding to demands and standards of the contemporary world.
Nikolay Betrincha valuating the approval of the National measure plan on February 15, 2005 on the realization of the GUAM Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project of the government of Moldova as the beginning of starting of the authoritative Project in Moldova noted that during this period definite activities on the harmonization corresponding to the international standards of the national legislation in the country and the process is still being continued. According to his words, some changes and additions was also done to the contemporary customs legislation of Moldova meeting requirements of International European norms. During last two years the development of the bilateral legal basis in the customs field was also in the focus of attention in Moldova, specially, some interstates protocols were signed by the Ukrainian side. Nikolay Betrincha said that intergovernments agreement on the cooperation and bilateral aid in the customs field was signed with Azerbaijan side. The negotiations on the project of this kind agreement with Georgia started.
Nikolay Betrincha said that a serious attention was paid to the struggle against criminality and violation cases of Customs Service. Nikolay Betrincha said that since December 1, 2005 the Monitoring Mission of the European Union is functioning in the border of Moldova and Ukraine and between sides the development of the international cooperation level, increase of effectiveness of customs and border procedures in crossing points are provided. At the same time assistance is shown for struggle against illegal activity in the border. Under the leadership of the Mission different measures and three joint operations by the participation of the legal-protection organs of Moldova and Ukraine during 2006-2007th years was carried out and these operations were positively ended.
Nikolay Betrincha also noted that with the object of the modernization of the customs system in Moldova ASYCUDA WORLD information system was applied by the financial support of the World Bank and Moldova was the first state applying of this version of the same system in the world. The mentioned system creates opportunity for observation customs clearance in the real time regime and in the end provides more effective of customs control and facilitation of commodities. Nikolay Betrincha said that with the object of the facilitation of the customs documentation in customs houses in April 2006th year ŦOne windowŧ principle was used. Nikolay Betrincha noted that all customs offices completely would be functioning by this working principle from this year.
After lectures meeting participants carried out discussions on corresponding issues and said their offers and references. After completion of discussion the presentation on protection of mental property rights of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held.
In the presentation the Chief of SCC Customs Control Organizational Head Office Shahin Bagirov first of all gave information on the creation history and passed development way of the independent customs service of Azerbaijan. At the same time he spoke on the improvement of the customs legislation, strengthening of the cadre potential, cooperation relations of the State Customs Committee with corresponding state organs and international organizations. The Chief of the Head Office said that a great attention is paid to the customs educational activities of the Azerbaijan Customs Service and giving information to population. He spoke on implemented measures related with protection of mental property rights.
Shahin Bagirov said that in February of this year the ŦInternational Conference on the struggle against counterfeit drugsŧ was held in Baku. He emphasized that Azerbaijan customs authorities stands in the principle position in the struggle against counterfeit commodity and piracy. For the resolute solution of this human problem Azerbaijan customs authorities pay a special importance to the close cooperation with customs authorities of other countries and corresponding international organizations. The documental material also on confiscation of illegal or counterfeit commodities explained as Ŧcommodity of the Republic of Armeniaŧ being production of Armenian separatists in occupied Azerbaijan lands by Armenian armed forces and in Nagorno Karabakh was demonstrated. It was emphasized that joint struggle of GUAM member countries against this kind cases can be expedient from mutual interests and international legal norms point.
After the presentation the Vice-Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan Asgar Abdullayev making speech said with assurance that solution of issues on the fulfilment of the Project on the Trade and Transportation Facilitation will serve for development of relations between customs authorities of GUAM member countries on the basis of more rational and mutual benefit. These relations will be gift for progress and security either in regional or in international scale.
At the end the Protocol of the 6th meeting of the Steering Committee on the implementation of the GUAM Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project was signed by heads of delegations and with this the measure ended.