Turkmenistan Negotiating Mutual Recognition of Authorized Economic Operators with Partners
The Central Office of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan recently hosted an international round table focusing on the practical implementation of the World Customs Organization Guidelines for the mutual recognition of authorized economic operators (AEOs) in the Central Asia and South Caucasus region.
The event, held on Monday, coincided with the visit of Igor Runov, the executive secretary of the International Center for Transport Diplomacy at the UN, to Turkmenistan. Participants joined the meeting via videoconference, including WCO experts, representatives of the UN Group of Friends on Sustainable Transport, the secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission for the International Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), and customs authorities from Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Turkmenistan was represented by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Customs Service, and the Agency of Transport and Communications.
The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the key provisions of the WCO Framework of Standards for Ensuring Security and Facilitating Global Trade at the regional level, while also considering best practices from other regions around the world. The discussion included an evaluation of existing regional agreements on the mutual recognition of AEO status, as well as examples from regions such as South Africa, the Middle East, and the European Economic Community. A representative from Moldova shared insights into implementing the AEO institution.
Furthermore, participants explored the concept of establishing a regional agreement on mutual recognition of AEOs in Eurasia, highlighting the importance of cooperation in enhancing trade facilitation and security measures.
This initiative signifies a significant step towards promoting trade efficiency and security in the Central Asia and South Caucasus region.
***ORIENT news***
