Customs Union customs services discuss economic security

Belarus is represented at the meeting by Yuri Brytkov, Kazakhstan - by Alexander Kochubei and Russia - by Alexander Vasilyev. Attending the meeting which is to last until 27 January is also a delegation of the Kyrgyzstan customs service led by deputy head Asylbek Kozhobekov. The heads of the law-enforcement departments of the customs services of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia are expected to assess the situation at the Belarusian-Ukrainian, Belarusian-Polish and Belarusian-Lithuanian borders and coordinate the measures to counteract possible threats to the economic security of the Customs Union member states. The parties are set to adopt a coordinated action plan for 2012.

The formation of the single customs and economic space of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia requires an increased role of the customs services in securing the economic security of the Customs Union. For these tasks to be fulfilled successfully, the customs services should work more closely in the fight against trafficking and economic crime.

In this regard, the customs authorities of the three states carry out reconnaissance of the adjacent territorial zones of responsibility on a regular basis, and evaluate foreign trade operations with a view to identifying the challenges and threats. They plan on how to optimally use the workforce and means of the customs services to combat crime, without hurting honest participants of foreign economic activity.

Forward planning of joint activities on the basis of mutual exchange of information is one of the forms of cooperation in law enforcement, believe the customs services. All issues of such cooperation are discussed at the meeting in Brest.