Ukrainian customs officers completed specialised training in Slovakia with EU support

A specialised training programme for officials of the State Customs Service of Ukraine has been completed in Slovakia, aimed at improving the efficiency of customs control and introducing modern European practices.

The training took place at the “Vyšné Nemecké” checkpoint of the Michalovce customs office as part of the European Union’s international technical assistance project “EU Support to Ukraine: Strengthening Integrated Border Management and Solidarity Lanes.” The event was organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Thirty representatives of the State Customs Service took part in the training, including 19 specialists from Zakarpattia Customs. These are the officers who carry out daily customs control and process goods and vehicles at the state border.

The training programme combined theoretical and practical sessions. Ukrainian customs officers improved their skills in working with XL BOYA software for analysing X-ray images and detecting concealed or high-risk items, and also practised using mobile baggage scanners in real-world conditions.

In addition, participants familiarised themselves with the operations of the “Košice Airport” and “Poštová” customs posts in Košice, where they had the opportunity to study the practical experience of their Slovak counterparts.

Illia Nizhnikov, Head of Zakarpattia Customs, emphasised that such training activities help harmonise Ukrainian customs procedures with European Union standards and improve the efficiency of control at the state border. He thanked the International Organization for Migration for organising the training, representatives of the Financial Administration of the Slovak Republic for the professional exchange of experience, and the participants for their engagement and commitment to professional development.

Source: uzhgorod.in.