The main objective of the visit was to determine the capacities for the implementation of specialised training to apply for the status of the EU Centre of Excellence
On 29 January 2025, the Advanced Training Centre for customs and police officers in Integrated Border Management, located in the premises of the former border crossing Bregana, hosted a meeting between Customs Administration representatives and a delegation of the Customs Eastern and South-Eastern Land Border Expert Team (CELBET).
Head of CELBET Andras Bartha and CELBET Training Team Leader Zsolt Dezsi met with Deputy Director of Customs Administration Željko Franjić and his associates, who showcased the Advanced Training Centre and its capacities and capabilities. The main purpose of the visit was to establish capacities for the implementation of specialised training of customs officials, primarily for the inspection and search of vehicles, with the intention of applying for the status of the EU Centre of Excellence for the implementation of training for the inspection and search of freight vehicles. The Centre of Excellence status would enable the training of customs and police officers from all EU Member States for inspection and search purposes, not only for freight vehicles, but for other vehicles too.
After seeing the capacities and functionality of the Centre, both inside (classrooms, rooms etc.) and outside (parking space, training vehicles, inspection and search tools and methods, garage space, and service dogs training course), CELBET’s representatives were pleased to know that such a centre was established and fit for operation, underlining that this is the first comprehensive training centre of such quality in the wider region. As a result of the visit, the first official training of EU customs officials was added to the activities of the Centre, scheduled for 2025.
Representatives of the Customs Administration expressed their readiness to strengthen further cooperation and stressed their commitment to the activities needed for the Advanced Training Centre to gain the status of an EU Excellence Centre for the inspection and search of freight vehicles.
CELBET is an initiative of 11 EU Member States with an external land border aimed at strengthening and enhancing operational cooperation through a new way of work, based on real operational coordination, deeper exchange of information and pooling of human resources, thus contributing to the implementation of common customs legislation and policy.
