Heads of Ukraine, Moldova customs, EUBAM meeting in Odesa

KYIV, March 20 /UKRINFORM/. The first trilateral meeting of heads of the customs services of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as well as leadership of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), is in session in Odesa on Tuesday.

The parties are discussing a wide range of issues related to the prevention of smuggling and customs violations.

"The agreements we have reached are aimed at simplification of customs control and the creation of favorable conditions for border crossing," Ihor Kaletnyk, chairman of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, said.

In the center of the agenda there is the creation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area.

The creation of such a zone is an integral part of the association agreements EU-Moldova and EU-Ukraine. This provides an approximation of the two countries to the EU practices in the areas of trade, EUBAM Head Udo Burkholder said.

We maintain an ongoing dialogue and see the overall prospects for the stability and security on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, General Director of the Customs Service of Moldova Tudor Balitsky said.

The parties noted progress in cooperation and discussed the role of customs authorities in the context of preparation and holding of UEFA EURO 2012.