Topsidis welcomes customs organizational upgrade in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Regional Governor Satisfied with AADE’s Decision
Christodoulos Topsidis, the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (AMTH), welcomed the decision of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) to implement an organizational upgrade of customs services along the Greek-Bulgarian border. This decision follows the removal of border checks due to Bulgaria’s full integration into the Schengen Area.

Statement Highlights
The announcement by the Regional Administration emphasized the importance of this initiative:

Addressing Challenges: The absence of border checks necessitates enhanced customs capabilities to combat illicit trade, which negatively impacts local businesses and creates unfair competition.
Strengthening Roles: Customs offices in Nea Orestiada, Komotini, Xanthi, and Drama will receive upgrades to better monitor border crossings and manage the new reality of open borders.
Regional Efforts: The administration has collaborated with economic stakeholders to mitigate smuggling and support the local economy.
Governor’s Comments
Topsidis stressed that Bulgaria’s Schengen integration brings opportunities but also demands strategic responses to emerging challenges. The governor highlighted the importance of:

Combating Illicit Trade: Repeated discussions with AADE and local chambers of commerce have yielded specific initiatives that now produce positive results.
Cross-Border Cooperation: Working closely with Bulgarian authorities is crucial for tackling shared concerns effectively.
He concluded:
“Our duty is to protect entrepreneurship and ensure a healthy economic environment for all.”