The Government of Moldova decided to initiate negotiations on the modification of the memorandum of understanding between the Government of Moldova, the European Commission and the Government of Ukraine concerning the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), which was signed in 2005, IPN reports.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman said the modifications were proposed by the European External Action Service and are in line with the changes that took place in the EU after the Lisbon Treaty took effect. The duties of the EUBAM will be updated taking into account the eight-year experience and the requests made by the partner agencies of the EUBAM in Moldova.

“The EUBAM will offer technical and consultative assistance in the process of liberalizing the visa regime for Moldovans in the EU and of creating the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Moldova and the European Union. Also, the memorandum of understanding will be supplemented with specific tasks that the mission will carry out. We hope the EUBAM will contribute to strengthening the Government’s efforts to combat corruption,” said Natalia Gherman.

The EUBAM was launched on November 30, 2005, at the requests of the Presidents of Moldova and Ukraine. It is the only one of the kind in the CIS. Its goal is to contribute to the development of the border management procedures so that they meet the EU standards.