Ljubljana – The heads of the customs authorities of Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia met in Brdo Pri Kranju, near Ljubljana, for the latest Quadrilateral gathering, a long-standing partnership aimed at strengthening cooperation on strategic issues.

Key topics on the agenda included the establishment of the new EU Customs Authority, efforts to counter tax evasion and organized crime through regional initiatives such as EUCAB and AdriaCustoms, and enhanced collaboration between customs administrations and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

During the meeting, the four countries signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the regular exchange of information on the import of low-value goods in the context of e-commerce, a channel often misused for drug trafficking.

“The signing of this memorandum,” said Andrea Mazzella, Minister Plenipotentiary and Director of the International Relations Office, “is a concrete example of how, when political decisions are taken on the basis of shared objectives, it is possible to overcome divergent perspectives—particularly on technical matters—and achieve a common vision capable of delivering a joint response to current challenges.”

Mazzella also extended an invitation to the customs directors of the Quadrilateral countries to visit the customs office and port of Trieste, an infrastructure that could become one of the key entry points of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced at the G20 in New Delhi in 2023.