On 24 January, Head of EUBAM paid a working visit to the Republic of Moldova to foster the ongoing and future cooperation with EUBAM’s key Partner Services. In Chisinau, Head of Mission held two meetings with the Director of the Customs Service, Mr. Igor Talmazan, and Head of the General Border Police Inspectorate, Mr. Rosian Vasiloi.

In the course of the meetings the parties discussed the results of joint activities implemented in 2021, especially, the Joint Assistance Exercise “Stronger together”, carried out by EUBAM at six Jointly Operated Border Crossing Points aimed to verify the level of practical implementation of the joint control principles and to formulate a series of recommendations for strengthening its effectiveness. In this context, the officials exchanged views on the implementation of joint control at the Moldova-Ukraine border and its practical aspects.

Leadership of the Moldovan General Border Police Inspectorate, and Customs Service briefed the Head of EUBAM on the current progress in optimization of the border and customs agencies’ structures. The sides discussed major challenges posed by cross-border crime alongside the Moldova-Ukraine border and analysed possible joint actions to counter them. At the same time, the participants examined possibility to enhance operational capacities of both agencies through Mission’s assistance.

Heads of the Moldovan border and customs agencies also shared their vision and priorities for the implementation of the 2021-2023 Integrated Border Management Action Plan. Among the most important were mentioned: the extension of the joint control to other border crossing points, the modernization of border infrastructure and its endowment with modern equipment, as well as continuous bilateral and multilateral cooperation. At the end, Head of EUBAM assured that the Mission would continue to support Partners in the Republic of Moldova in the modernization of border management and its fight against cross-border crime.