OSCE meeting identifies need for border-crossing best practices for the CIS

KYIV, 20 December 2007 - Problems related to cross-border transit of goods, including long waits and cumbersome procedures, both within the CIS region as well as between the CIS and the EU were the focus of an OSCE meeting which ended in Kyiv today.

The two-day roundtable discussion, jointly organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Transport Division, brought together some 50 customs administration representatives from CIS and EU countries.

Experts from the UNECE, International Labour Organization, World Customs Organization, the European Commission, Eurasian Economic Community and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization, as well as the International Road Transport Union and its national associations, also took part.

Alexey Stukalo, Deputy Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, said: "Dialogue with the private sector is vital for improving the situation at border-crossings and promoting good governance in customs."

Valeriy Lugovets, Head of Department for Ukrainian Customs, underlined the importance of international harmonization of border-crossing procedures: "Ukraine, because of its geographical position, is interested in harmonizing border-crossing procedures both with other CIS member states as well as with the EU."

Participants agreed that the OSCE should remain active in this field by bringing together relevant stakeholders and disseminating best practices. It was proposed that the OSCE could develop, in co-operation with partner organizations, a handbook on best practices at border crossings.