AZERBAIJAN STATE CUSTOMS COMMITTEE EQUIPS ITS BASIS
As was informed by the press service of the SCC, Chairman of the Committee, customs colonel0general Kamaladdin Heydarov expressed gratitude to the SCAD program contributors, spoke of the importance of the presented accommodation in combat against drug trafficking.
Chairman of the Committee said that the head of Azerbaijani state set forward certain tasks before the customs staff to strengthen combat against smuggling and anti-drug combat, as a result of which a plan of activity was worked out.
Speaking of the importance of decisive combat against narcotics, Mr. Heydarov said that a number of measures have been undertaken to prevent this evil. The customs staff was equipped with technical accessories, several seminars and trainings were arranged, modern regional training center was created.
National coordinator of SCAD Program Mazahir Efendiyev spoke of the priorities of the South Caucasus Anti-Drug Program, noting that the Program prefers border guard and cooperation with the State Customs Committee. After regaining state independence, Azerbaijan is in the special focus of the European Union countries. International organizations gave high assessment to the reforms conducted in the customs bodies. Therefore, the relevant world organizations have increased volume of assistance to the SCC.
In the last three years, in the frame of SCAD, not only the European Union Assistance Commission, but also the United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP) will allocate 800 thousand US dollars to create special regional customs service. Mazahir Efendiyev reminded that the head of the United Nations Drug Control Program Antonio Mario Costa has recently visited the Republic of Azerbaijan and met President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. As a result, the European Union states have increased their attention on cooperation with Azerbaijan in this field.
International experts, visiting Azerbaijan highly estimated development of the Republic’s customs bodies. As was stated by the national coordinator, special training courses are due in April for 40 staff members of customs organs, who will train rules of use of the presented equipment, acquire experience of the European customs bodies.
Since April current year, the European Union will allocate for 2004-2006s 2,3 million Euros for Azerbaijan. Of them, 200 thousand are earmarked for State Customs Committee, the national coordinator underlined.
The equipment was distributed among the Baku Chief Customs Department, Chief Customs Department of Air Transport, as well Astara, Bilasuvar, Khachmaz, Tovuz, Balakan and other customs points.
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