Oleksandr Danyliuk: We have to implement a single systemic approach to combating smuggling

Law enforcement and supervisory bodies, specialized bodies and agencies should unite and implement a single systemic approach to combating smuggling and corruption, minimizing their scope and consequences.

This was stated by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Danyliuk during the interagency meeting on the state policy of ensuring the protection of the domestic market of Ukraine from threats to national security related to smuggling and other violations of customs rules.

The meeting was held at the Main Situation Center of Ukraine on the initiative of the Security Service of Ukraine on the instructions of the President of Ukraine to strengthen the fight against smuggling.

According to Mr. Danyliuk, new law enforcement agencies have been established recently, in particular, the NABU, the State Investigation Bureau, the National Police, which "to a certain extent changed the established logic of coordinating efforts to combat smuggling".

"Obviously, it is necessary to restore the system that gives the result, - he said, - and here we are talking about a bigger goal than combating smuggling, - the question is about protecting the internal market".

Mr. Danyliuk also stressed that for many years in Ukraine, a "pinpoint" not a systemic approach to combating smuggling and violation of customs rules, had been applied.

"Smuggling poses a serious threat, because it undermines economic security, draws citizens into organized crime, it is used by foreign intelligence services for subversive activities.  And this was very clearly demonstrated in 2014 in the East of Ukraine. We cannot quickly eradicate smuggling, but we can and should minimize its volume and consequences", - the NSDC Secretary pointed out.

Acting Head of the SSU Ivan Bakanov noted that in order to combat smuggling, the power structures should unite their efforts, "and together, not competing with each other, fight this phenomenon".

Mr. Danyliuk invited the participants of the meeting to submit next week the proposals to the NSDC of Ukraine on practical steps to combat smuggling and violations of customs rules, after which the proposals will be summarized and submitted for consideration by the Head of State.

Representatives of the SSU, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the State Border Guard Service, the State Fiscal Service, the National Police, the NABU, the SIB and others took part in the interagency meeting.