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The working group was established in April 2013. The negotiator for this Chapter is Nikola Vukićević, Director of Directorate for Budget thead of the working group is Mitar Bajčeta, Chief Directorate of Customs System at the Ministry of Finance. Secretary of the working group is Miloš Vujović of the MEA.
The working group comprises 31 members, of which 13 women and 18 men (27 from state institutions, 4 from the civil society).
Main objectives of the Customs Union are: establishment of a free trade area, boosting economic relations between EU Member States, development of trade activities, improving the living standards, better employment opportunities, raising productivity, and ensuring financial stability.
The national customs services of EU member states are responsible for the daily operational implementation of the EU customs policy. They collect customs duties, excise and value added tax on imports from third countries, and take care of the respect of import quotas and other restrictions. Also, Member States implement and appropriate customs controls at the external borders of the Union in order to suppress all forms of trafficking, organized crime, terrorism, money laundering, and protection of intellectual property rights, ensuring protection of consumer health and safety and environmental protection.
Customs Union acquis consists of legislation which is binding upon all Member States. The obligation of each member as well as candidate countries, is to enable the capacity to implement legislation, including links to relevant electronic customs systems of the EU and to ensure the application of special rules laid down in related areas of the acquis such as external trade.
