The customs administration of the Republic of Uruguay signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation to improve effectiveness in the fight against smuggling and other customs offenses.
The signing of the Memorandum took place on Friday (10.12.2021) with the presence of the Russian Ambassador Andrey Budaev and the Embassy Counselor, Kiril Topolnik; as well as the National Director of Customs, Jaime Borgini.
The event was attended by representatives of the Russian Customs, Eduard Osipov and Nikolai Rikunov, the manager of Control and Risk Management, Diego Casella, and the head of the International Affairs Advisory Service, Laura Dighiero.
According to official information, today's agreement will allow for joint efforts for the period 2022-2024, including, for example, the exchange of information on cargoes or persons suspected of or associated with committing customs offences.
In this regard, it was clarified that the institutions had agreed at a preliminary stage to carry out these activities jointly (special customs operations) in order to detect and prevent customs violations or offences that occurred during the shipment of goods and means of transport between both countries.
Such joint activities (operations) may be carried out in one or more of the following areas:
– Combating the smuggling of narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursors;
– Combating illicit trafficking of cigarettes and tobacco;
– Combating illicit trafficking of goods in violation of intellectual property rights (IPR);
– Combating the illicit movement of goods, associated with the evasion of payment of customs duties and the violation of non-tariff restrictions;
– Combating smuggling of CITES-protected species;
– Combating the smuggling of cultural goods;
– Combating the smuggling of hazardous and/or radioactive materials;
– Combating the smuggling of firearms, explosive devices, ammunition and other weapons.
The institutions also agreed to hold working meetings and seminars, as well as other joint activities that may be useful for achieving the objectives of the current Work Plan, the statement concludes.
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