UNMIK/PR/47

PRESS RELEASE

20 September, 1999

UNMIK Customs Service Installed on Albanian Border

PRISTINA-The UNMIK Customs Service began operations on the border with Albania today, collecting duties on goods imported into Kosovo through the Vermice/Vrbnica border crossing point.

This is the second border crossing where the United Nations Mission in Kosovo has implemented revenue collections on imported goods. On 3 September, UNMIK placed customs officials-all Kosovars with previous customs experience--at the Hani I Elezit/Djeneral Jankovic border crossing point with Macedonia.

The UNMIK Customs Service, established by an UNMIK regulation on 1 September with assistance from the European Commission,  is the only official customs service in Kosovo.

The crossing opened with Albania today should yield some 50,000 deutsche marks a day in the initial period, which is one sixth the average amount collected at Hani I Elezit on the Macedonian border, according to UNMIK Customs officials.

All revenues go into the Kosovo budget. First priority for expenditures are payments to public workers.

UNMIK currently employs 32 border crossing officials, 12 of whom will staff the Vermice/Vrbnica crossing.

Customs operations will begin at a third crossing point, at Globocice/Globocica on the Macedonian border, in the near future, after demining and other logistical measures are complete. Deminers removed some 600 mines from the crossing opened today.

Today’s opening was officiated by Scott Brown, a deputy in charge of financial affairs in UNMIK’s Economic Development "pillar", and Vladimir Djurchin, of UNMIK’s Civil Administration "pillar."

"Customs revenues are essential to our ability to pay teachers, health workers, firemen and other providers of essential services," said Brown. "We are proud of the dedication and professionalism of the customs officers and grateful to the EC for financing and supervising this project."