“The first six months of the EUBAM Mission’s new mandate were marked by significant steps forward. The entering into force of the new agreement on joint control was the most important development that will constitute the foundation of our future work on integrated border management. Equally, the infrastructural projects launched in the region together with the initiation of the exchange of information between the border agencies in Ukraine are additionally achievements EUBAM and its partners will continue to build upon. With a particular focus on bringing a qualitative change in border management both for the people and for the trade, we are looking forward to witnessing future developments together with our partners services,” Head of EUBAM Slawomir Pichor stated in the 30th Advisory Board Meeting of the Mission, IPN reports.
European Union Ambassador to Peter Michalko said he was delighted to see that EUBAM is making further progress in all areas of its mandate including on delivering technical support to the Transnistrian settlement process. “Its expertise is valuable for instance in implementing a number of the Protocol Decisions that were previously signed. I also want to salute the improvements achieved through EUBAM’s assistance, for instance with regard to the passenger train between Chisinau and Odessa running through Tiraspol,” stated the official.
Deputy Director-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission Maciej Popowski said over a span of nearly thirteen years now, the Mission has assisted and helped a generation of Moldovan and Ukrainian officials – both in the fields of border policing and customs – by building capacity and delivering expert advice. “Indeed the implementation of the rule of law is central to create a predictable environment. This predictability matters to maintain trust in those who govern, attracting investments and strengthening international cooperation,” he noted.
European Union Ambassador to Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli urged all parties for soonest implementation of joint border management on the border crossing points at Kuchurhan-Pervomaisk and Giurgiulesti-Reni where the European Union is supporting infrastructure improvement in a project amounting to €5 million.
Serhii Saienko, Acting Director of the European Union and the NATO Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the start of the EU-funded project on the modernization of infrastructure of Kuchurhan-Pervomaisc and Reni-Giurgiulesti jointly operated border crossing points, establishment of Palanca Contact Point and the Automated Information Exchange between the border agencies of two countries. He also highlighted EUBAM’s assistance in the Ukrainian and Moldovan enforcement efforts, in particular the recent Joint Border Control Operation “JANUS” aimed at counteracting cigarettes smuggling.
Head of OSCE and International Security Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova Vasile Mircos noted that with the launch of EUBAM 12, the Ministry marked a shift to a more results-oriented Mission, keeping in mind the needs of the Moldovan and Ukrainian partners. He added that the Ministry acknowledges and supports the work of EUBAM focused on technical confidence-building measures between Chisinau and Tiraspol, combating cross-border crime and full implementation of integrated border management.
The 30th Advisory Board Meeting of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine took place in Odessa, Ukraine.
