US Experts Extend Hand to Bulgarian Customs

The Director of the Bulgarian Customs Agency, Gen. Vanyo Tanov (l) and the US Ambassador to Sofia, James Warlick, gave a briefing after their meeting to discuss the issues and the future of the Bulgarian Customs. Photo by BGNES

US experts are going to visit Bulgaria to help the center-right GERB cabinet with their effort to reform the Customs Agency, according to the American Ambassador to Sofia, James Warlick.

Warlick spoke Tuesday after meeting with the Director of the Bulgarian Customs Agency, Gen. Vanyo Tanov and the Agency's management.

The meeting was attended by other Embassy officials and by Brett Gentrup, a special agent for Customs and immigration issues at the US Embassy in Austria.

"There were problems with corruption in the past, but the time has finally come to deal with them successfully. The cabinet must undertake all measures to collect revenues from fuels, alcohol, and tobacco products," Warlick said, adding his country would do whatever it takes to help.

Tanov informed the parties have discussed the state of the Bulgarian Customs in the past and now and the future tasks. The issues put on the table involved the reform in the Agency, problems of technological, legislative and organizational nature. The Director pointed out the US would assist in the areas of security of goods and cargo and in upgrading technology at Customs offices.

"I am convinced there is political will on the part of the current cabinet to deal with the problems faced by the Customs and increase revenues," the Ambassador declared.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!