The customs employees will work guided by a new Code of Ethics and Conduct that lays down the fundamental ethical principles, mandatory norms of professional behavior and discipline at work in the customs service. In December – January, the customs employees will be trained to implement the norms of conduct in their work by specialists of the Customs Service and of the National Anticorruption Center, IPN reports.

Customs Service director general Vitalie Vrabie told a news conference that the new Code of Ethics and Conduct and the guidebook for implementing this were designed and printed with the assistance of EUBAM. The Code envisions the provision of high-quality services based on professional ethics and organizational integrity and acknowledgment by customs employees of their duties and of the necessity of respecting discipline at work.

Vitalie Vrabie said the implementation of the norms of conduct will eliminate the deep-rooted perceptions of the customs service and will change the image of the customs employee and of the customs in general. The customs officers will behave honesty and in a civilized way towards persons with whom they come into contact.

According to the director general of the Customs Service, the new Code of Conduct will be distributed to all employees. When the new organogram starts to be implemented, the number of customs employees will be reduced by over 200 to 1,500. The liquidation of a part of the posts will enable to save 24 million lei a year. The saved money will be used to raise salaries based on performance. The number of customs offices will be reduced from seven to three starting with next year.

Adrian Costache, deputy head of the EUBAM Office, said it is important to implement these provisions as they will be useless if they remain on paper.

The violation of the principles and standards of conduct in the customs service carries disciplinary, administrative and criminal punishment.