European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) cooperates with the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC), especially under the Mission’s third objective referring to combatting cross-border crime on the Moldova-Ukraine border.

The Republic of Moldova is one of SELEC’s Member States and Ukraine has the observer status. EUBAM also enjoys the status of observer.
In this context, on 30 May the Head of EUBAM, Mr Slawomir Pichor, participated into the 17th session of the SELEC Council in Bucharest, Romania.

The agenda, consisting in items related to annual reports and budgetary matters was presented by the SELEC Director General, Ms. Snejana Maleeva, who also briefed the participants about the organization’s achievements during 2017 related to joint investigations, exchange of information and regional operations on preventing and combating cross-border crime in South East Europe. The management of EUBAM and SELEC agreed to explore strengthening the cooperation on preventing and fighting cross border crime in the region.

Head of EUBAM also met in Bucharest the Senior Management of the Romanian Border Police and National Fiscal Administration Agency (ANAF) on 31 May. The Romanian Border Police was represented by Ms Daniela Hutul, Director General of Directorate for Countering Illegal Migration and Cross-border Crime and ANAF by Mr Bogdan Lari Mihei, vice-president and coordinator of customs activity. During the meetings, the Head of EUBAM briefed on the Mission’s new mandate, objectives and developments in border management on the Moldova-Ukraine border. Parties also exchanged experience on fighting cross-border crime phenomena and agreed on future Romanian authorities’ support to operational activities of the Mission.

Nota bene: The objective of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC), within the framework of cooperation among Competent Authorities, is to provide support for Member States and enhance coordination in preventing and combating crime, including serious and organized crime, where such crime involves or appears to involve an element of trans-border activity. SELEC has 11 Member States: Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hellenic Republic, Hungary, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Republic of Serbia and Republic of Turkey.