World Customs Organisation: Montenegro successful in meeting standards, building regional cooperation

Podgorica, Montenegro (21 April 2011) – Montenegro has achieved progress in meeting World Customs Organisation (WCO) standards, in customs system development in general and has established excellent regional cooperation in this area, said WCO Secretary-General Kunio Mikuriya at his meeting with Prime Minister Igor Lukšić.

He added that “in future customs system development in Montenegro, the WCO will provide assistance related to financial support, capacity building and new technology,” as well as in regional cooperation.

The Prime Minister thanked the Secretary-General for the WCO support in establishing a modern customs system in Montenegro, and pledged more hard work.

“In the previous period we have done plenty to improve and modernise our customs system, but there is still plenty of tasks ahead of us. First among them are meeting the EU standards, improving business environment and contributing to global fight against organised crime,” said PM Lukšić

The PM Lukšić stressed that “in pursuing these, the role of the customs is very important, which is evident in its crime prevention activity,” adding that the WCO support is more than valuable a state such as “Montenegro, a small, market-oriented state that is developing on its EU path a system of efficient, transparent and strong institutions.”