7/27/2019 1209385028Koha%20Ditore%20-%20Arberi%20-%2006April%202008.pdf

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/1209385028koha20ditore20-20arberi20-2006april202008pdf 1/3

7/27/2019 1209385028Koha%20Ditore%20-%20Arberi%20-%2006April%202008.pdf

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/1209385028koha20ditore20-20arberi20-2006april202008pdf 2/3

Newspaper Arbëri, 6 of April 2008

Kosova and four other countries of the region are covered now by Technical and

Administrative Assistance to Tax and Customs Authorities

KOSOVA AND SERBIA – in TACTA

In the lead of TACTA- is an “iron” Italian lady, Natalina Cea. She ran the mission CAM

Albania in Albania between 1997 and 2000, whereas she accused Albanian Leaders as

involved in smuggling activities. Natalina Cea also denounced the smuggling with transitgoods taking place from Albania to Kosova.

Tirana, February 5th

 The iron lady who left Albania back in 2000 leaving behind her accusations at ministerial

level, now is back again in a new Customs Mission.

 Natalina Cea has returned after 8 years in the lead of a customs mission in the countriesof the Balkan Region, but this time in the lead of TACTA mission (Technical Assistanceto Customs and Tax Authorities) covering five countries of the region such as: Albania,

Kosova, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The TACTA program will

carry on with the tradition of CAFAO program (Customs and Fiscal Assistance Office)that started in 1996 and was run by “Euro Customs” consortium, an office that was closed

down at the end of the year 2007. On Saturday in Tirana in the premises of the Hotel

“Rogner” took place the presentation of the EU project of TACTA (Technical Assistanceto Customs and Tax Authorities). This is a project of a great profit, especially to Balkan

countries since up to now the functioning elements of the regional trade pattern was quite

obvious/known. Italian Customs Agency is running this project and the aim for the future

is to cover five countries of Western Balkan: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosova,Montenegro and Serbia.

Although the Macedonian Customs Administration is not a beneficiary country of

TACTA, was still invited to participate on this forum due its very important geopoliticalcooperation role in the region.

The objective of TACTA project is to make possible step by step the modernization of

organizational structures as well as operational procedures in conformity with EuropeanStandards. In addition to that, drafting new strategies against tax evasion and illegal

traffic by emphasizing that countries of the Balkan region were always under such

negative influence.The TACTA project was assigned upon an EU tendering process to the private –public

consortium called ITACA (International Technical Assistance to Customs and Tax

Authorities) being an initiative of the Italian Customs Agency.

This Assistance Activity will be carried out by an international team comprised of 70experts who ought to render their help and at the same time be coordinated by the leaders

of the missions based in each beneficiary country.

This meeting was attended by representatives of all five beneficiary countries of theregion, representatives of the European Commission as well as the local authorities of

Albania.

7/27/2019 1209385028Koha%20Ditore%20-%20Arberi%20-%2006April%202008.pdf

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/1209385028koha20ditore20-20arberi20-2006april202008pdf 3/3

TACTA is a one-year project founded entirely by the EU and that will be run by aninternational team of experts. A clear-minded regulatory-statutory staff that will enable

the achievement of some economical and institutional objectives is expected to become a

 priority of the customs and tax administrations throughout Balkan countries.“Through this 7.1 million Euros worth project it is aimed to reach some of the important

economical and institutional objectives, among which the strengthening of tradeexchange through a more transparent legal and regulatory staff; enhanced participation

and taking into a consideration of EU recommendations in the Stabilization AssociationProcess” stressed Ingve Ingström, the chief of the Department in charge for TACTA

 project, within the European Commission General Directorate for Enlargement.

Through the implementation of the said project, the following objectives of higheconomical and institutional importance are expected to be delivered:

Strengthening of trade exchange through a statutory and regulatory staff being more

transparent; higher participation in those exchanges and taking into account the EUrecommendations in the Stabilization Association Process of the Balkan region.; the

enhancement of administrative cooperation in combating evasion and illegal traffic;

strengthening controls against money laundry, forge and other crimes related to goodsimport-export and services.

Author: Bashkim Shala