Moldova pleads for expanding EUBAM mandate

Moldovan authorities plead for an active cooperation with the EU Mission and the necessity of expanding its mandate and activity period after 2007. The statement belongs to Valeriu Ostalep, deputy minister of Foreign Affaires and European Integration, who made it public within the frameworks of the 4th meeting of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) Advisory Board, held in Odessa, Ukraine. Within the frameworks of the meeting the head of the mission General Ferenc Banfi presented the Mission’s report for the first year of activity in Moldova and Ukraine. The document details the activities carried out with the support of the 2 governments, which contributed to installing an efficient control at the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. The Board also congratulates two countries on the adequate implementation of the Joint Declaration of December 30, 2005 and on the signing of the protocols on information exchange between the customs services and between the border guards of Moldova and Ukraine on November 21. In the context, the Advisory Board members supported the prolongation of implementing EUBAM assistance projects and initiatives in 2007 concerning involvement of law enforcement bodies from both states in investigation of violations identified at the border, intensifying cooperation with EU agencies (FRONTEX, EUROPOL, etc), increased cooperation in solving migration issues, as well as launching a public informing campaign on countering corruption. The Board included representatives of foreign ministries, custom services and border guards from Ukraine and Moldova, representatives of the EU chairmanship and European Commission, EU Border Assistance Mission, OSCE Mission in Moldova, International Organization for Migration, and EU special representative for Moldova.