EU, Western Balkans seal historic pact for seamless trade

Heads of customs administrations from the Western Balkans and European Union member states met yesterday in Tirana at the Second High-Level Conference of Directors General of Customs Administrations, titled “Customs Partnership for a Connected Europe.” The conference was officially opened by Belinda Balluku, Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, and Petrit Malaj, Minister of Finance of Albania, together with Roberto Alesse, Director General of the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency, Matej Zakonjšek, Director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, and Edna Karadža, Project Manager of CEFTA SEED+.

The event served as a key platform to strengthen strategic customs cooperation, support the goals of the EU Growth Plan, and enhance CEFTA alignment with European Union standards, CE Report quotes FENA.

The conference concluded with the adoption of a Joint Declaration, reaffirming shared commitments to accelerate alignment with the Union Customs Code, expand and institutionalize Green and Blue Corridors, improve real-time data exchange through the SEED+ system, deepen inter-agency and business cooperation, and support steps toward the recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs.

“As reaffirmed during the recent European Political Community Summit held in Tirana on May 16, 2025, the EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans represents the most important geopolitical investment of the EU. Membership in the Union is not only about prosperity but also about shared values,” said Albania's Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.

Genti Gazheli, Director General of the Albanian Customs Administration, stated that their main priority is the establishment of an efficient and transparent customs system that not only facilitates legitimate trade but also strengthens the fight against smuggling, human trafficking, and all other forms of legal violations.

“The integration of the Balkan region into the European Union depends on key factors such as cooperation and mutual trust. By strengthening our ties, we will improve stability and security, accelerating the integration process. Our joint goals remain clear: facilitating trade, promoting cooperation, and ensuring stability and peace in this strategic region and the Adriatic Sea,” said Roberto Alesse, Director General of the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency.

Edna Karadža, SEED+ Project Manager at the CEFTA Secretariat, stated that digitalization lies at the core of building the Common Regional Market.

“SEED+ is the operational tool behind the Green and Blue Corridor initiative and serves as the backbone for real-time data exchange. It enables faster, smarter, and more transparent customs procedures, supporting the fundamental goals of the EU Growth Plan through improved connectivity, modernization, and integration with European customs systems,” Karadža said.

The conference featured three thematic panel discussions focused on strategic priorities in the customs field.

The first panel addressed customs cooperation between Western Balkan countries and EU member states, highlighting operational successes and challenges in data exchange and regulatory alignment.

The second panel focused on Green and Blue Corridors, emphasizing their expansion at CEFTA-EU borders and the importance of the SEED+ system for real-time data exchange and system interoperability.

The final panel looked toward the future, exploring the role of customs in supporting economic growth and EU enlargement through simplified procedures, stronger business support, and accelerated alignment with EU standards within the framework of the Growth Plan, according to the organizers.