On 9 February, the Head of EUBAM, Slawomir Pichor, met with the recently appointed Head of the General Inspectorate for Border Police, Ruslan Galușca, to discuss strategic priorities for the upcoming year and beyond.
The meeting served as a platform for both parties to delve into recent developments within the Moldovan Border Police and EUBAM, aligning their efforts to address evolving challenges in border management. EUBAM reaffirmed its commitment to providing tailored assistance to meet heightened expectations. Emphasis was placed on supporting the adaptation of operational processes and infrastructure to alleviate the immense pressure on border crossing points and adapt with emerging threats due to the war in Ukraine.
An integral aspect of the discussion centered on advocating for increased investments in critical border crossing points. EUBAM highlighted collaborative efforts with EU Commission services, focusing on identifying optimal locations for such investments and paving the way for potential future developments in this area that support border security.
The sides also addressed the imperative of enhancing cooperation with Ukrainian authorities on control on the Moldova-Ukraine border. It emphasized EUBAM’s vital role in bolstering dialogue and cooperation, particularly in the current context of armed aggression against Ukraine.
Furthermore, the meeting facilitated dialogue on the priorities and expectations of the Moldovan Border Police within the context of EUBAM’s extended mandate, emphasizing the need for capacity-building support. With the EU leaders’ decision to initiate accession talks with Moldova and Ukraine, the imperative for comprehensive customs and border management reforms was underscored. EUBAM reiterated its unwavering commitment to supporting risk analysis, exchanging information and experience between specialists, as well as improving operational skills and technical support for optimizing the management of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border.
The talks concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening partnership and coordination to effectively address emerging challenges and foster sustainable progress in border management.
