Moldova became the first country in the region to obtain mutual recognition of authorized economic operators with the European Union.
Today was the official launch of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Recognition Program. The agreement on mutual recognition of AEO programs between Moldova and EU countries will take effect on November 1. Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said that the information-technological system of data exchange for mutual recognition of authorized economic operators is the first electronic communication system between the customs bodies of Moldova and the EU customs bodies. She expressed confidence that the Customs Service of Moldova will rise to the European level. Prime Minister also assured that the Moldovan authorities are ready to coordinate joint actions with the Romanian Customs Service, in which a pilot project will be launched in the near future. Besides, the list of checkpoints on the Moldovan-Romanian border is completed with a new road checkpoint - "Leova-Bumbata". Natalia Gavrilita said the mutual recognition of the authorized economic agents is a great opportunity to develop the business and the country as a modern and European state. EU Ambassador to Moldova Janis Mažeiks, in turn, drew attention to the fact that the EU helped the Customs Service of Moldova in developing a comprehensive system of data exchange for the mutual recognition of authorized economic operators between Moldova and the EU. The conclusion of the EU-Moldova agreement on mutual recognition of AEO programs will provide certain mutual benefits to economic operators, including priority border crossing - a special separate lane for AEO holders. The ambassador also noted that over the past eight years Moldova has strengthened its role as an EU trade partner - over 50 per cent of Moldova's exports go to EU countries. Janis Mažeiks also assured that the Authorized Economic Operator Recognition Program will provide the Moldovan businessmen with the same privileges as the European ones - facilitation of customs control, reduction of the number of controls, shorter time of stay at the customs control points etc. Besides, a new customs code of Moldova will be elaborated, corresponding to the European one. It is to take effect next year. // 21.10.2022 - InfoMarket
