EUBAM and security services of Moldova and Ukraine enhance border cooperation

The results achieved by Moldova and Ukraine in combating international organized crime and the stetting of objectives for the future were discussed at the third trilateral meeting of the heads of the Moldovan and Ukrainians security services Gheorghe Mihai and Valentin Nalivaichenko and the Acting Head of the EUBAM Udo Burkholder, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a communique, the Security and Information Service of Moldova says the information and analytical data exchange between Moldovan and Ukrainian partners has increased significantly since the last trilateral meeting held on January 21, 2009. Joint analytical work on smuggling and illegal migration are cases in point. Cooperation with EU member states and international law enforcement agencies has also improved. The heads of services noted that the permanent status of the two joint working groups established in 2009 should achieve significant results in the short and long term. The groups meet and share information regularly on fighting illegal migration and combating illicit drug trafficking, smuggling of goods and vehicles and counteraction of customs violations. “The EUBAM data shows that owing to the improved crossborder cooperation, the security situation at the Moldovan-Ukrainian border became stable. Naturally EUBAM is here to help our partners in any way we can,” Udo Burkholder said during the meeting. “The unsettled Transnistrian conflict continues to generate risks and threats to the regional security. Thus, we must make concerted effort to secure the border,” said the head of Moldova's Security and Information Service Gheorghe Mihai.