Customs experts from Chisinau and Tiraspol are this week participating in a joint study visit co-organised by the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

It is the first time customs representatives from both parties have participated together in such an event, which is significant both as a key part of the confidence-building process and as an opportunity for participants to observe cooperation at the joint customs posts on the German-Swiss border, specifically at Waldshut and Weil am Rhein, which is outside the Swiss city of Basel.

While visiting the joint customs posts, the participants will be briefed on Swiss-German joint customs procedures, take part in expert discussions, and learn about EU standards in joint customs control, all with a view to enhancing and harmonizing customs procedures on both sides of the river Dniester in the Republic of Moldova.

The study visit follows on from EUBAM’s conducting of a first customs training initiative for Chisinau and Tiraspol customs representatives in May last year, and the Mission’s facilitation of a tri-lateral process that played a part in the resumption of rail freight traffic through Transnistria last April. Now the emphasis is on the implementation of the customs agreement for the ultimate benefit of citizens and businesses on both sides of the Dniester river. EUBAM is playing a key role in offering technical advice on customs matters as part of the confidence-building process.