Costa Rica signed this Tuesday (08.02.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX) two instruments on customs matters with Belgium and the Netherlands, which will strengthen cooperation with the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, according to the Ministry of Finance of Costa Rica.
The agreement between the Netherlands and Costa Rica will facilitate “the fight against trafficking in arms, explosives, chemical, biological and nuclear substances, as well as dangerous goods, narcotics and precursors "which constitute a danger to society," the statement said.
The implementation of the instrument will also facilitate administrative assistance between the two countries. At the same time, it will allow for an exchange of knowledge to improve practices in relation to customs procedures, the use of technical equipment for the control of goods, among others.
According to the statement, Costa Rica also signed a declaration of intent with the General Administration of Customs and Excise of Belgium. The aim of the agreement is to combat illegal trade between ports and Strengthening the key role played by customs administrations in preventing, investigating and combating illegal cross-border trafficking.
During the signing ceremony, Costa Rican Finance Minister Elian Villegas highlighted the “strategic importance” of the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam for the entry of goods from the Central American country, “because most of our exportable products enter Europe through these ports.”
Now the customs of the three countries “will be just a click away,” said Elian Villegas. He then explained: “This document opens the opportunity to share knowledge, assistance and information, so that we will have an important market in Europe and two allied countries to jointly combat smuggling and drug trafficking.”
The ceremony took place in the Golden Room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica and was attended by the ambassadors of the Netherlands and Belgium, respectively. In addition, the ceremony was attended by the Vice Minister for Bilateral Affairs and International Cooperation, Adriana Bolaños Argueta.
The instruments were signed by Gerardo Bolaños Alvarado, Director General of Customs of Costa Rica; Jan Kamp represented the Netherlands and Kristian Vanderwaeren represented Belgium.
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