The European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) to Moldova and Ukraine would like to clarify its position concerning remarks made by a Transnistria customs representative in a Publika TV report that was broadcast on the evening of Friday 26 April.

EUBAM has invested considerable efforts in supporting confidence-building measures on either side of the Dniester river. At no stage, however, has EUBAM proposed or given its approval for the installation of customs posts in the security zone adjacent to the internal administrative boundary.

In this context, EUBAM should also point out that ideas tabled during a meeting on 21 March in Odessa, such as a joint customs operation proposal, had yet to be agreed by political representatives of both sides and had certainly not reached a point that would justify actual operational activity by either side to proceed.

EUBAM remains hopeful that further cooperation in customs matters can be achieved in future, based on the excellent progress that has already been achieved in recent times.