On the initiative of Mr. Genc Celi, Board Member from Albania and President of the Association of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) for the Western Balkans, the AEO Association organized a round table with Albanian companies holding AEO status. The event was hosted by DHL and attended by representatives of AEO-certified companies as well as the GIZ RegioTrade project.
The purpose of the round table was to foster dialogue between the AEO Association and Albanian companies on the implementation of the AEO program, the realization of its benefits, and the ongoing challenges faced by businesses in day-to-day operations. Key regional initiatives, such as the EU’s New Growth Plan, Common Regional Market (CRM) 2.0, and the National Reform Agenda, were also presented and discussed.
Key Challenges Identified
AEO companies shared several challenges which applies from the implementation of the AEO program and customs procedures in Albania. The following points summarize the key feedback on benefit realisation and other issues provided by companies at the round table:
- Manual record-keeping for customs warehouses
- Difficulties in accessing comprehensive guarantees and guarantee reductions
- Limited use of Green Lanes for AEOs
- Requirements related to the EORI number and ICS2 system
- Increased Red Channel inspections on AEO shipments
- 100% air cargo scanning and lack of mutual AEO recognition
- Unclear guidelines on document retention and archiving periods
- Continued reliance on wet-ink signatures and official stamps
- Use of cargo manifests as substitutes for export declarations
Call for Collaboration and Engagement
The roundtable concluded with a strong call to action. The private sector’s engagement is deemed essential for the success of AEO programs and the broader regional integration agenda. Albanian companies – and all operators across the Western Balkans – are encouraged to join the AEO Association, actively participate in initiatives, and contribute to a stronger, more competitive regional ecosystem.
The AEO Association stands as a vital bridge, connecting businesses with regional institutions and markets, and the digital and policy transformations necessary for the Western Balkans to thrive in the evolving landscape of European and global trade.
Looking ahead, the Association plans to organize similar round tables across all Western Balkan economies, aiming to map priority areas for improvement regarding application of benefits rising from the status of Authorized Economic Operators.
The next meeting is scheduled for 8 July 2025 in Skopje, North Macedonia, and will be hosted by Dauti Komerc.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Contact Information
AEO Association for the Western Balkans
- Email: regional@aeoassociation.com
- Email: connect@aeoassociation.com
