Participation of the PABSEC International Secretariat in the Joint Meeting of the BSEC Working Groups on Trade and Economic Development and on Customs Matters with the participation of Experts in Statistics, 17 June 2021

Ms. Milena Ljubinkovic, Secretary of the PABSEC Economic, Commercial, Technological and Environmental Affairs Committee took part in the Joint Meeting of the BSEC Working Groups on Trade and Economic Development and on Customs Matters with the participation of Experts in Statistics that was held online on 17 June 2021.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of Republic of Albania, Republic of Armenia, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bulgaria, Georgia, Hellenic Republic, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Republic of Turkey and Ukraine. The representatives of Montenegro and the Union of Road Transport Associations in the BSEC Region (BSEC-URTA) participated in the meeting as the BSEC Sectoral Dialogue Partners. The representatives of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) participated in the meeting as Guests.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Artem Timoshchenko, Attaché, Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Istanbul.

At the meeting, participants exchanged views on recent developments in the spheres of trade, economic development and customs matters in and among the BSEC Member States. The Working Group further considered the Project Proposal on “Setting up an Information Exchange Mechanism on Trade and Economic Issues in the BSEC Region”, updated by the BSEC PERMIS based on comments and proposals of the Member States. In addition, harmonization and simplification of customs procedures were discussed and the representative of IRU presented the main steps taken in these fields in the recent period.

The importance of regional support of sustainable development was highlighted, as well as the significance of achieving Sustainable Development Goals and their implementation in the post-COVID-19 period.