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| Meeting to Discuss the Recommendations in the Transportation, Smuggling and Organized Crime Report
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On October 12, 2004 the CSD hosted a meeting to discuss the conclusions and recommendations of the Transportation, Smuggling and Organized Crime report. The meeting was attended by Mr. Jeremy Hill, Ambassador, British Embassy, Mr. Boyko Kotzev and Mr. Roumen Stoilov, Deputy Ministers of Interior, Mr. Assen Assenov, Customs Agency Director, members of the Expert Group on Trafficking and Corruption and CSD experts.
 Mr. Tihomir Bezlov, CSD Analyst and Mr. Philip Gounev, CSD Research Fellow, presented the recommendations for interagency cooperation, border security and management of the human resources. Ambassador Hill confirmed the support of the British Embassy and encouraged further research and constructive recommendations in this area. Representatives of the Ministry of Interior and Customs Agency commented to the report and gave concrete recommendations for future analyses. They agreed that one of the most important recommendations is to improve the interagency cooperation.
Mr. Assenov pointed to the advantages of the report - the historical perspective and the commitment of all institutions involved. He suggested to differentiate the various customs violations, all of which are described as "contraband" in the report. He also made a clarification regarding the Gorna Oryahovitsa airport saying that a 24-hour customs control is not necessary since there are not flights throughout all this period of time. Mr. Assenov was concerned about the one-stop-shop system because so far there has not been an unified approach to this sevice.
Mr. Roumen Stoyanov, Chief of Sector at the Border Police said that a number of the recommendations have been already implemented, for instance an international control center was established in Bourgas in cooperation with other Black Sea countries. Mr. Roumen Stoilov pointed out that there has been a progress in the collaboration between the military, border police and customs but further dialogue is needed to secure the best use of resources.
Dr. Ognian Shentov, CSD Chairman, concluded that the progress in strengthening border control in the last years is due to the willingness of the institutions in charge to introduce reforms. He also underlined the importance of the role of the British government to enhance security at the Bulgarian borders.
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