Director General of Customs Participates in the High-Level EU–Western Balkans Conference in Athens

Athens, 11 June 2026 – Director General of Customs, Besmir Beja, participated in the Third High-Level Conference of Customs Directors General of the Western Balkans and EU Member States, held in Athens, Greece.

The conference, entitled “Bridging Markets, Aligning Standards: Green Lanes as a Pillar of Enhanced Integration into the EU Single Market”, brought together heads of customs administrations from CEFTA Parties and EU Member States, representatives of the European Commission, the business community, and regional and international organisations.

The event was organised by the CEFTA Secretariat through the SEED+ Action, in cooperation with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue of the Hellenic Republic and the Transport Community Secretariat. It served as an important platform for advancing customs cooperation and supporting the gradual integration of the region into the EU Single Market.

Discussions focused on expanding the Green Lanes concept, strengthening interoperability among customs systems, developing digital tools, and harmonising operational practices, with the aim of creating safer, more efficient, and more predictable trade flows between CEFTA Parties and the European Union.

During the second panel, dedicated to the strategic role of customs administrations in the EU integration process, Director General Beja shared Albania’s experience in modernising customs procedures, facilitating trade, and strengthening regional cooperation. The discussion highlighted that customs cooperation is no longer solely an instrument for trade facilitation, but also a key mechanism for economic integration and alignment with European Union standards.

In this context, Mr. Beja underlined that the modernisation of customs processes, information exchange, and coordination among administrations remain essential elements for ensuring faster, safer, and more predictable trade. He also stressed that the Green Lanes initiative represents a concrete step towards bringing the Western Balkans closer to EU standards and practices.

Participants also discussed enhanced cooperation between CEFTA and EU customs administrations through interoperable systems, coordinated risk management, Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, and alignment with the ongoing reform of the Union Customs Code. Particular attention was given to the role of electronic data exchange through the SEED+ platform as a key tool for increasing transparency, accelerating border procedures, and strengthening cooperation among customs administrations.

At the conclusion of the conference, the final statement was presented, summarising the key priorities and joint commitments agreed upon throughout the discussions. Participants reaffirmed the importance of customs cooperation as a practical driver of EU integration, with a strong focus on digitalisation, system interoperability, coordinated risk management, partnerships with economic operators, and the continued implementation of Green and Blue Lanes supported by SEED+. The need to move from political commitment to concrete implementation of measures that strengthen economic and trade connectivity between the region and the European Union was also emphasised.

This year’s conference follows the second edition held in Tirana in June 2025, organised by Albanian Customs, which brought together customs leaders from the Western Balkans and EU Member States to discuss common priorities in the field of customs cooperation and European integration.