About the AEO Association
Established by and for Authorized Economic Operators in 2021, the Regional AEO Association is your hub for faster, safer trade across South-East Europe. We connect AEO-certified businesses with customs authorities, peers and policy-makers so you can slash red tape, lower costs and move goods with confidence. Join us and turn compliance into a competitive edge in every market you serve.
Your AEO Partner in South-East Europe
Our Mission: We exist to help you—the Authorized Economic Operator—turn the promise of the AEO programme into day-to-day advantages. Whether you work locally or across borders, we make sure you feel the benefits of streamlined procedures, stronger customs partnerships, and smoother trade flows throughout South-East Europe.
What We Do for You
- Connect You with Peers Join a cross-border network where AEOs exchange real-world solutions and fresh ideas.
- Give You a Strong Voice We present your priorities to customs administrations, other government agencies, and regional bodies, shaping policies that work for you.
- Back You with Insight Our research, benchmarks, and position papers arm you with evidence to influence decision-makers and improve operations.
- Train and Advise You From application guidance to advanced compliance workshops, we provide practical support for every stage of your AEO journey.
- Promote Your Edge We champion the AEO brand region-wide, helping customers, partners, and authorities recognise the value you deliver.
Our values—Put to Work for You
- Collaboration – We break down borders so you can build bigger opportunities together.
- Equality – Every member’s perspective counts; your challenges and successes matter equally.
- Transparency – Clear information, open decisions, no surprises—so you always know where you stand.
With the Regional AEO Association, the focus is simple: you, your business, and your competitive edge.
Collaboration
Working together across borders to achieve common goals and foster regional integration
Equality
Ensuring fair treatment and equal opportunities for all members and stakeholders
Transparency
Operating with openness and clarity in all our activities and decision-making processes
How We’re Organized
- Member-elected President – Sets the strategic course and represents the Association externally.
- General Manager – Runs day-to-day operations and turns strategy into action.
- Board of Directors – Drawn from the membership, the Board provides oversight and guides our technical and administrative work.
In short: you vote for the leadership, the Board safeguards your interests, and the General Manager makes sure everything happens on time and on budget.
Who Can Join
Membership is voluntary and open to:
- Certified AEOs in the CEFTA region – companies already holding AEO status.
- Future AEOs and supporters – businesses committed to, or actively preparing for, AEO certification and eager to promote the programme.
Representation Each member company names:
- One primary representative and
- One alternate
Both must have the authority to vote, ensuring your organisation always has a decisive voice in Association matters.
President & Member of the Board
Mr. Çeli is a customs and trade professional with over three decades of experience in the Albanian Customs Administration. From 1992 to 2016, he advanced from field customs officer to Deputy General Director, focusing on technical areas including tariff classification, valuation, origin rules, procedures and statistical analysis. He negotiated Free Trade Agreements and the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, and helped draft Albania’s Customs Code and Excise Law.
From 2016 to 2019, he directed the Foreign Direct Investment Directorate at the Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA), shaping investment policies and attracting FDI. Since 2020, he consults independently on customs and trade projects such as the Single Window, USAID PRINC non-tariff barrier removal, and GIZ’s AEO programme. He also provides training on customs compliance and trade facilitation to private and public sector clients.
His expertise bridges regulatory requirements and operational efficiency, streamlining customs procedures and enhancing trade facilitation regionally.
Regional Manager
Aida Nani, MBA, is Founder and Managing Partner of Stag Consult, an Albanian-UK registered consultancy active across the Western Balkans region. With more than 30 years of experience, she has led the management and delivery of complex infrastructure and trade facilitation projects, engaging both government and private-sector clients.
Her expertise spans policy advisory, customs and trade compliance, authorized economic operator (AEO) programs, risk management, public–private partnerships, and ESG integration. Aida serves as Manager of the Western Balkans Authorised Economic Operators Association, where she champions streamlined procedures and capacity building. She has guided clients through regulatory reforms and strategic market entry in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia.
Aida holds an MBA and regularly speaks at international forums on regional integration, digitalization, and sustainable development. Under her leadership, Stag Consult has built partnerships with EU-funded initiatives and multilateral agencies, driving growth and fostering collaboration across the region.
The Board is currently operated through the Open Regional Fund for South – East Europe – Foreign Trade, which is supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) commissioned by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is composed of a team of international and regional experts.
Under the leadership of our General Manager, Ms. Aida Nani, the Board provides administrative support, coordinates activities, and implements the strategic initiatives of the Association.
Olgica Nakova
With over a decade of hands-on experience in freight forwarding and supply-chain coordination, Olgica Nakova serves as Operations Specialist at GOPET TRANS. She excels at negotiating competitive rates, optimizing transport routes, and ensuring seamless end-to-end delivery for clients across Europe. Olgica’s keen eye for detail and commitment to ISO-certified quality systems drive efficiency and reliability in every shipment.
Betim Kryeziu
As a founding member of Frutex LLC’s leadership team, Betim Kryeziu has driven the Golden Eagle energy-drink brand’s expansion since its 2006 debut. Through strategic market-entry initiatives and key partnerships, he has grown Golden Eagle’s presence to more than 30 countries, all while ensuring rigorous quality management under ISO 22000 and HALAL standards.
Goran Cerovina
Vice President for Adria Markets at Nelt Group, Goran Cerovina leads regional growth strategy and organizational development for Southeast Europe’s premier FMCG distributor. Since joining Nelt in 2018, he has driven double-digit expansion in Bosnia & Herzegovina and now oversees sales, logistics services, and principal relations across multiple markets. Goran is a member of Nelt’s Executive Board and champions innovation in end-to-end solutions.
Jovan Mutavdžić
At the helm of operations for 2B Logistics in Belgrade, Jovan Mutavdžić manages multimodal transport solutions—ranging from road and rail to air and sea freight. With 20+ years of industry expertise, he designs tailored logistics plans, coordinates customs clearances, and ensures cost-effective, on-time delivery. Jovan’s leadership fosters a customer-first culture and continuous process improvement.
Dragana Stajović
Dragana Stajović is a member of the Board of Directors at Neregelia Montenegro and represents the company in the AEO Association for CEFTA economies. Since 2024, she has overseen the integration of temperature-controlled warehousing, freight forwarding, and value-added marketing services under the Nelt Group umbrella. Dragana’s expertise in FMCG distribution and compliance drives Neregelia’s reputation for excellence.
Olgica Nakova
Gopet Trans
Betim Kryeziu
Golden Eagle
Goran Cerovina
NELT
Jovan Mutavdžić
2B Logistics
Dragana Stajović
Neregelia
SUPPORT TO REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
This website is supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) commissioned by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to implement the Open Regional Fund for South – East Europe – Foreign Trade. The content of this website represents the opinions of the author(s) and is not necessarily representative of the position of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
