Customs administrations are playing an increasingly strategic role in the region’s path towards the EU Single Market. During the second panel, customs leaders and EU representatives discussed how stronger cooperation between the EU and CEFTA Parties can support gradual integration through interoperable systems, coordinated risk management, trusted trader partnerships, and alignment with the evolving EU customs framework. The discussion highlighted the progress achieved through initiatives such as #GreenLanes, #AEO programmes, electronic data exchange, and enhanced customs cooperation, while also identifying key priorities for the future: greater interoperability, stronger risk-based controls, and closer alignment with the ongoing reform of the Union Customs Code. Participants agreed that modern, connected, and data-driven customs administrations are essential for creating secure, predictable, and efficient trade flows, strengthening market confidence, and supporting the broader EU enlargement agenda. Customs cooperation is no longer only about facilitating trade—it is a strategic lever for economic integration and the region’s European future. #SEEDPlus #Customs #AEO #RiskManagement #EUIntegration #TradeFacilitation #CEFTA #SingleMarket

For businesses, integration is measured in time saved, costs reduced, and predictability gained. Tanja Bošković, Head, EU4Trade project and Genc Çeli, President of Western Balkans AEO Association highlighted the value of the solutions supported through SEED , including #GreenLanes and enhanced customs cooperation maintaining close dialogue between customs administrations and businesses to ensure that regional reforms translate into tangible benefits for companies operating across the region. #SEEDPlus #BusinessCommunity #TradeFacilitation #RegionalIntegration #CEFTA

From crisis response to a strategic integration instrument. The first panel explored how Green Lanes, developed and supported through the SEED framework, have evolved into one of the most tangible examples of regional cooperation delivering measurable results for trade and transport. Participants discussed how Green Lanes can further develop into a broader EU–CEFTA priority corridor framework, strengthening predictability, trust, and interoperability between customs administrations. The discussion confirmed that continued investment in digitalisation, data exchange, and coordinated procedures remains essential for bringing the region closer to the EU Single Market. #SEEDPlus #GreenLanes #CEFTA #RegionalCooperation #TradeFacilitation #EUIntegration

The Third High-Level Conference of Customs Directors General of the Western Balkans and EU Member States opened today in Athens, bringing together customs leaders, EU institutions, regional partners, and the business community to discuss the future of regional economic integration. Organised by the CEFTA Secretariat through the SEED Action, together with the @AADE_IAPR Independent Authority for Public Revenue of the Hellenic Republic and the @EUWB6_TCT Transport Community Secretariat, the conference serves as a platform for advancing practical solutions that facilitate trade, strengthen connectivity, and support the gradual integration of CEFTA Parties into the EU Single Market. The opening session highlighted the importance of continued cooperation, digital transformation, and joint efforts to build a more connected and resilient regional market. #GeorgePitsilis #ApostolosTzitzikostas #ChristopheGaland #GerassimosThomas #PranveraKastrati #MatejZakonjsek #SEEDPlus #CEFTA #TransportCommunity #IAPR #EUIntegration #Athens2026

📍CEFTA Secretariat participated in the WB6 Joint Working Group on Investment (JWGI) meeting in Vienna, organised by RCC and the World Bank Group with support from the European Commission. 🤝 Discussions focused on CRM 2025–2028 priorities: the Regional Investment Facilitation Roadmap, green investment incentives, investment promotion, and measures to strengthen the regional investment ecosystem. 📈 The Roadmap is particularly important for CEFTA as a potential basis for future discussions on a CEFTA investment facilitation framework aligned with the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement. 🌍 CEFTA remains committed to reforms that improve transparency, predictability and efficiency for investors, while supporting regional integration and EU accession. #CEFTA #CRM20252028 #InvestmentFacilitation #WesternBalkans #EUIntegration

🛒 E-commerce grows when consumers trust it. This week in Montenegro, the CEFTA Consumer Protection Expert Group discussed how to make cross-border online shopping across CEFTA simpler, safer and more reliable. Key topics: ✅ CEFTA Joint Committee Decision No. 2/2024 on E-commerce Facilitation ✅ Consumer protection under the Common Regional Market ✅ Future CEFTA Consumer Protection Centres ✅ Lessons from ECC-Net, BEUC, ECC Poland, ECC Croatia & ECC Moldova ✅ Practical solutions for disputes and ADR Stronger consumer protection = stronger trust. Stronger trust = stronger e-commerce. And stronger e-commerce means more opportunities for businesses and consumers across the region, bringing us closer to the EU. 🤝 Organised by CEFTA Secretariat & EU4Trade, #GIZ, co-financed by the EU and the German Federal Government. #CEFTA #CommonRegionalMarket #Ecommerce #ConsumerProtection #EU4Trade

📍 31st CEFTA Customs Meeting (Sarajevo, 2 June) confirmed strong commitment to customs modernisation & digitalisation across CEFTA. Key progress: • PEM & e-PoC advancing steadily • AEO progress and exploring EU ‘Trust & Check’ future potential • SEED improving data exchange (risk profiles, scanner images, VAT data, pre-arrival info) • EAD & PAP expanding fully digital procedures • TRS supporting faster, more efficient clearance 🚀 CEFTA is moving toward faster, safer and EU-aligned trade flows. #CEFTA #AEO #Digitalisation #Customs

📍Sarajevo, June 3, 2026 💻A fully operational local database of unsafe and non-compliant products is now in place within the Market Surveillance Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with automatic updates to the central CEFTA database ensuring continuous data exchange across CEFTA. 🔎The database will support both proactive and reactive market surveillance activities, enabling authorities to manage inspections more efficiently and maintain reliable records of unsafe and non-compliant products. 🤝This development further strengthens regional cooperation and contributes to a safer market and improved consumer protection across CEFTA. SEED , Connecting CEFTA, transforming trade #SEEDPlus #CEFTA #MarketSurveillance #ConsumerProtection #RegionalCooperation #EUIntegration

📍Brussels | CEFTA Parties reaffirmed commitment to faster economic integration within CEFTA and gradual access to the EU Single Market through the Common Regional Market Action Plan 2025–2028 as the second pillar of the Growth Plan. Focus: Green Lanes, digital trade, e-signatures, customs cooperation & paperless trade.

🤝 The CEFTA Secretariat attended the launch of EU4IP Western Balkans in Alicante, supporting stronger IP systems across CEFTA Parties ahead of EU accession. 📍 Director Kastrati also met with EUIPO Director Negrão to discuss closer CEFTA–EUIPO cooperation in supporting CEFTA Parties on their EU path. #CEFTA #IPR #EU4IP #EUIPO

📍 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 | 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬, 𝟏𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 |𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐔 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 The upcoming Conference will bring together Directors General of Customs administrations from CEFTA Parties and EU Member States, representatives of the @EU_Commission, the business community, and key regional and international partners to discuss the future of regional connectivity, trade facilitation, and gradual integration with the EU Single Market. The event is co-organised by @AADE_IAPR, the CEFTA Secretariat through the SEED Action, and the @EUWB6_TCT Secretariat. 📌 Registration is now open → Register here → cutt.ly/ktBvS0cW See you in Athens this June! #CEFTA #SEEDPlus #RegionalCooperation #Customs #TradeFacilitation #EUIntegration #Digitalisation #Connectivity #Athens2026

How do we strengthen product safety and market surveillance across CEFTA? Yesterday in Brussels, representatives of the CEFTA Parties, the CEFTA Secretariat, SEED experts, and the #EuropeanCommission came together to finalise the Decision on Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products. Inspired by the EU Safety Gate and the EU’s Information and Communication System for Market Surveillance (ICSMS), the discussions focused on: ✔️ improving the exchange of information on unsafe and non-compliant products; ✔️ aligning regulatory frameworks with EU rules and practices; ✔️ strengthening cooperation between market surveillance and customs administrations Through stronger coordination, digital tools, and closer alignment with EU practices, CEFTA continues advancing towards a safer, more transparent, and more connected market. Today’s discussions marked another important step toward more effective product compliance and market surveillance across CEFTA. #CEFTA #SEEDplus #MarketSurveillance #ProductSafety #EUIntegration #DigitalTransformation #SafetyGate

How can cooperation between administrations become faster, smarter, and more connected? 🇪🇺🤝 Yesterday in Brussels, representatives from the CEFTA Parties, the CEFTA Secretariat, the SEED team, and the #EuropeanCommission came together to discuss the establishment of a system inspired by the EU’s Internal Market Information (IMI) System for CEFTA. The discussions focused on: ✔️ how the EU IMI System supports efficient administrative cooperation across institutions ✔️ the necessary regulatory framework for establishing such a system within CEFTA ✔️ proposed areas of administrative cooperation and information exchange ✔️ technical implementation and next steps for connectivity By aligning with proven EU models, EU best practices, and the EU acquis, CEFTA continues advancing digital cooperation, transparency, and more efficient communication between administrations across CEFTA. From regulatory discussions to technical implementation, today’s agenda marked another important step towards stronger integration and closer alignment with EU Single Market principles. 🇪🇺 #CEFTA #SEEDplus #EUIntegration #RegionalCooperation #IMI

🎓The CEFTA Research Award is now open! Master’s & PhD students from CEFTA Parties are invited to submit research tackling real CEFTA policy challenges through the CEFTA Academic Network. Research themes: 📦 Agri-food trade 🏭 Industrial trade 🤝 Trade in services 🗓 Concept notes due: 30 June 2026 🔗 Apply now: cefta.int/open-calls/ #CEFTA #CEFTAResearchAward #CEFTAAcademicNetwork #EUIntegration #TradePolicy

Faster crossings don’t happen by chance — they’re built through trust, data, and real cooperation 🚛 In Chișinău, and on the ground at the Albița–Leușeni crossing between Romania and Moldova, we saw what that looks like in practice. It starts with a simple idea: trust the reliable, focus on the risk. Across CEFTA, more than 300 Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) are already benefiting from this approach: cutt.ly/UtJ0lp9g These are companies that meet high standards and, in return, move faster, face fewer controls, and operate with greater predictability. Importantly, they now enjoy these benefits across CEFTA. What makes this even more important is that the work already carried out through the implementation of the CEFTA framework on Authorised Economic Operators will greatly facilitate recognition with the European Union — with most of the job already completed. By bringing together customs administrations, transport experts, and other relevant agencies from CEFTA, the visit turned this progress into something tangible. Participants didn’t just discuss frameworks — they saw coordinated controls in action, observed how AEO facilitation works day-to-day, and explored how systems connect in real operational environments. This visit — jointly organised by the CEFTA Secretariat, the SEED Action, the @EUWB6_TCT Secretariat, the EU4Trade project implemented by @giz_gmbh on behalf of BMZ and supported by the @CEI_Secretariat, and hosted by the customs administrations of #Moldova and #Romania — showed one clear thing: Better crossings are already happening. Less waiting. Smarter controls. Stronger connectivity.

This week in Budapest, CEFTA and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a high-level meeting to advance shared priorities in food safety, trade facilitation and regional integration. Discussions focused on strengthening food quality and safety frameworks, enhancing trade transparency and efficiency, and advancing regional harmonisation in line with European Union standards. Director @Pran_Kastrati and Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia @ViorelGutu, elaborated possibilities for enhanced collaboration in the areas of priority importance for CEFTA with particular focus on subsidies reporting and food safety following EU models. Through continued technical cooperation and targeted capacity-building, CEFTA and FAO remain committed to supporting more efficient, predictable and resilient agri-food trade systems across the region. #CEFTA #FAO #TradeFacilitation #FoodSafety #RegionalIntegration #EUAlignment

The CEFTA Veterinary Working Group meeting in Skopje confirmed strong progress in digital trade. In 2025, over 42,000 veterinary certificates were exchanged through CEFTA TRACES NT (up from ~16,000 in 2024), with the system now embedded in daily operations across administrations. The impact is tangible: faster procedures, up to 70% efficiency gains for inspectors, and cost savings for businesses. Discussions over the past two days focused on next steps: advancing a unified Notification System aligned with EU standards, and moving towards fully paperless trade with a few pilots. A clear signal that digitalisation is delivering—and accelerating. #CEFTA #SEEDPlus #DigitalTrade #TradeFacilitation #CEFTATRACES

A very productive discussion in Budapest on the rollout of CEFTA SEED and the implementation of Green Lanes, marking another important step towards faster, more predictable trade and closer integration between CEFTA and the EU. The discussions confirmed a strong and shared commitment to advancing SEED implementation, strengthening data exchange, and improving risk management. A big thank you to our Hungarian partners for the excellent organisation and continued support. #CEFTA #SEED #GreenLanes #TradeFacilitation #CustomsCooperation #EUIntegration