Launched on September 22, 2023, the Internal Security Fund (ISF) project "Combating Excise Crimes in the Baltic Region" has been extended until the end of 2027.
The extension will allow for continued delivery of additional training sessions, seminars, and experience-sharing events. It will also deepen cross-border cooperation in criminal investigations and strengthen information exchange between the Baltic States and European Union partners.
To date, the project has facilitated expert meetings that served as a platform for in-depth discussions and the pursuit of common solutions. Furthermore, international study visits have broadened horizons, allowing participants to explore partner approaches and adopt best practices, thereby strengthening international cooperation and promoting the exchange of knowledge on a wider scale. Three inter-institutional experience-sharing events were also held across various regions of Latvia, where specialists shared professional insights, analyzed real-life cases, and discussed current trends in the illicit trade of excise goods.
Throughout the implementation of the project, specialized equipment has been acquired, and a broad, multi-layered cooperation platform has been established for law enforcement officers from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland. National and international training sessions have deepened professional knowledge, enhanced practical skills, and strengthened mutual trust among regional partners. These activities have significantly boosted collective readiness to respond to challenges in the illicit trade of excise goods and fostered a unified understanding of effective operational procedures.
The project is a joint initiative of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, aimed at reducing the illicit trade of excise goods and the excise tax gap in the Baltic States. It focuses on increasing the operational efficiency and technical capabilities of law enforcement agencies in the fight against the shadow economy. Particular attention is given to combating the smuggling of illicit tobacco products, fuel, and alcohol within the Baltic Sea region and the European Union.
This extension reaffirms that close and coordinated cooperation between the Baltic States and EU institutions is a vital prerequisite for reducing the shadow economy and ensuring fair market competition.
The decision to extend the project was based on the efficient utilization of existing financial resources and the resulting cost savings. The project is implemented within the framework of the Internal Security Fund's 2021–2027 planning period, with the Ministry of the Interior serving as the Managing Authority in Latvia.
