On 6 April 2018, a delegation representing European Parliament’s Committee on Budget (BUDG) chaired by the Committee’s Vice-chair Siegfried Muresan (EPP, RO), met with EUBAM in Chisinau. Ambassador Peter Michalko, Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova and his team took also part in the meeting.

The meeting was held in the framework of the visit of European parliamentarians to the Republic of Moldova between 3-6 April 2018.

Slawomir Pichor, Head of EUBAM, briefed the participants on EUBAM’s main achievements over the years and the main priorities for the current mandate, pointing out EUBAM’s contribution to the regional security and economic development. A special attention was given to the Mission’s contribution to the border and customs aspects related to DCFTA, highlighting EUBAM’s interaction with Customs Service centered on the implementation of the DCFTA with the EU. In this context, Slawomir Pichor mentioned “The support provided by EUBAM to the implementation of the EU-Moldova DCFTA focused on fine-tuning existing legal provisions, customs procedures and their practical application. Recently the Mission supported the drafting of a new Customs Code in the Republic Moldova, aligning the primary customs legislation to the Union Customs Code. The technical advice that we provided facilitated the fulfilment of the country’s commitments originating from the Association Agenda.”

Since the scope of the DCFTA application extended to Transnistria, EUBAM initiated its support to the application of the Agreement’s provision on the left bank of the Nistru River.

In view of partners’ goals and requirements related to the Association Agreement, EUBAM also assisted its partner services in implementing not only the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement but also the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. In this direction EUBAM assisted in aligning the Republic of Moldova’s legislation and procedures with those of the Schengen Area and supported the development of strategies and policies on Integrated Border Management and their on the ground implementation.

The European Parliamentary delegation expressed appreciation for EUBAM’s contribution and encouraged to continue its operations in line with the new mandate.