Equipment for Customs Posts in the Region of Western Macedonia

The Customs Posts of Krystallopigi and Niki constitute entry and exit points of our country in the Region of Western Macedonia with particular traffic. The formation of the area’s terrain, the extension of the road axes (Via Egnatia and PATHE), as well as the modern existing rail network make the process of moving people and products particularly important and difficult at the same time. 1. Sub-project : procurement of two self-moving x-ray systems, which constitute detection systems with x rays. This equipment is used for the inspection, with the assistance of a radiological image, of the content of the baggage and packages of passengers passing through, that is, it inspects whether various products and goods that are subject to prohibitions or restrictions are being transported illegally. The scanning of the baggage and packages takes place with their movement along the length of the self-moving system. In this way, both the content of the packages and objects that are hidden in specially made spaces are revealed. In particular, the x-ray system in question allows the scanning of the baggage, giving the operator the possibility to compare, inspect, and observe their internal contents. Another characteristic of this system is the fact that it moves by itself. This also serves additional needs for the inspection of packages that do not enter the customs area but whose inspection is judged necessary during their crossing of the border. 2. Sub-project : procurement of two closed circuits with automatic recording of entering and exiting vehicles and containers based on the license plate numbers of the vehicles and the number written on the containers. The recording of the data in a database takes place automatically and they can be reacquired by authorized users. The system is based on the scanning of the above data (license plates – container number), dividing the vehicles into categories: private use, buses, trucks, and nationalities. Among other things, the system also has the capacity of interactive connection of the database with other databases (SCHENGEN, etc.). 3. Sub-project : procurement of two flexible probes with video, which allow internal searches in extremely difficult points to access, such as gaps and slots, floorboards, beams of vehicles or cavities in the fuel tanks of boats and other means of transportation, inside which narcotics and psychotropic substances, weapons, and other items subject to restrictions and prohibitions are usually hidden. Its flexible parts are waterproof and can be dipped inside liquids such as petroleum products, lubricants, alkaline and acid solutions, and with an appropriate sheath, in acids or untreated industrial waste. 4. Sub-project : procurement of six special vehicles that can be used under difficult weather conditions and for driving on and off the road for the support of enforcement teams and for transporting detection dogs.

Agreement with the cross-border partner for the creation of a permanent institution of cooperation : There is an interstate agreement between the Republic of Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the reinforcement of the cooperation and mutual assistance between their Customs Administrations [(Law of the European Community L84/1/23.02.2004 and Law 1547/1985 (Government Gazette 94/Α/22.05.1985)]. In addition, the General Directorate of Customs and Special Consumer Taxes of the Greek Ministry of Economy and Finance cooperates closely with the General Directorate of Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Expected beneficiaries : 1.The great mass of citizens that move for reasons of tourism, business, and other reasons, as well as the permanent inhabitants of the two areas. 2.The broader society from the removal of illicit trade, since its economic, commercial, health, and environmental interests are assured. 3.The business community, since its service is ensured through the simplification and improvement of procedures. 4.The local populations on both sides of the border, given that safety, social cohesion, and the strengthening of employment will affect the inhabitants of the region both directly and in the long term. 5.The customs services at the interstate level, since international cooperation between them is promoted in order to deal with the challenges that the enlargement of the European Union sets and to combat fraud. 6.The partners in the FYROM and the parties indirectly involved, since they are given the possibility to become familiar with the procedures and the policies of the European Union and the acquis communautaire in general. Wider socio-economic benefits: this project achieves the following: repression of illegal immigration, trafficking in drugs and other illegal psychotropic substances, as well as the illegal trafficking of weapons and other explosive mechanisms, gold and other precious and semi-precious stones, while at the same time the commercial smuggling of various goods that are subject to high customs duties is expected to be restricted. In particular, the following are achieved: 1. Improvement of our country’s cooperation with the other member states of the European Union, as well as with international services 2. Removal of the area’s geographic and communications isolation 3. Increase of safety in the areas on both sides of the border 4. Protection of the public health of the inhabitants of the eligible areas 5. Safeguarding of the cultural heritage 6. Easier access to and from international transport networks 7. Economic and social benefit for the populations of the cross-border area 8. Increased competitiveness 9. Increased commercial and tourism transactions 10.Qualitative improvement of the services provided by customs Qualitative evaluation : The project contributes to the achievement of basic principles both of the founding treaty of the European Union and of those of Maastricht and Amsterdam, according to which the free movement of persons constitutes a basic prerequisite in order for Europe to become “an area of freedom, safety, and justice.”