The fourth and final pilot validation mission under this project for the Mutual Recognition of AEOs was finalized in Podgorica, Montenegro in November 2019. Montenegro’s Customs Authority applied for being the fourth program to be validated as a pilot under the current project and the first to test the agreed CEFTA procedure for mutual recognition (MR) of AEO program, in line with Additional Protocol 5. During the 4-day validation, the Montenegrin Customs presented their AEO program content, the authorization process and the implementation of the national AEO program. Beside reviewing the documentation, the validators also had the opportunity to visit the companies who are in the procedure of obtaining the AEO status in Montenegro.

The overall objective of the pilot exercise what to simulate the validation missions which will take place under the CEFTA MR procedure and Guidelines, which are prepared and meanwhile adopted at the CEFTA Join Committee meeting on 18 December 2019.