Moldova-Ukraine border security to be consolidated
The Republic of Moldova's Border Service will be invested with certain police plenary powers in order to further strengthen state border security, Minister of the Interior MG Victor Catan stated at a news conference today convened on the occasion of the official opening of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) Chisinau Liaison Office.
Gen. Catan explained that without such functions, Moldovan border-guards are quite restricted in their activities, have no access to databases on criminals wanted internationally, and so forth.
Director General of the national Border Service brigadier general Alexei Roibu [former director of the Information and Security Service and ex-Head of the Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption (CCECC)] said that this reform necessitates certain changes to be made in the legislative, regulatory and institutional frames. So far, the Border Service is a state structure invested exclusively with the authority to only observe, register and report, and has no right to apply any restriction measures to offenders.
Udo Burkholder, Acting Head of the EUBAM, underscored the importance of integrated administering of state border, and said the Mission has achieved considerable successes in that. He highlighted the importance of training good border and customs specialists.
Dirk Schuebel, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Moldova, called the EUBAM a unique project of the European Union's, and said there exists a chance for extending the Mission's mandate once again upon its expiry in November 2011.
Dirk Schuebel called the Chisinau Office opening an important step towards further consolidation of the Moldo-Ukrainian border security, in particular on the border's Transnistrian section.
EUBAM Chisinau Office Director Konstantins Sarigins expressed hope that his experience of building up the security of the EU's and Schengen area border in Latvia will be useful for Moldova.
The EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine was launched on November 30, 2005 following the joint request by the Presidents of Moldova and Ukraine. The Mission is an advisory, technical body. It has no executive powers, and is aimed to assist Moldova and Ukraine to harmonize their border management standards and procedures with those prevalent in EU member states. The Mission provides on-the-job training and advice to Moldovan and Ukrainian officials, reinforcing their capacity to carry out effective border and customs controls and border surveillance. The Mission is funded by the European Commission. A number of EU Member States are also providing contributions in kind by funding secondments of border professionals from their national services to the Mission. The Moldo-Ukrainian border is 1,222 kilometers long, of which the Transnistrian section, which escapes Chisinau's control, makes 470 kilometers.
Infotag, Moldovan news agency
-
Related News
- The European Union will continue to support Moldova
- European integration is Moldova's absolute priority - Lupu
- European Union helps Moldova in achieving harmonization with its legislation
- EU experts advise Moldova to update state aid legislation
- To manage borders effectively, Moldova has to root out corruption - Udo Burkholder
- Dirk Schuebel hopes Merkel-Sarkozy-Medvedev meeting will pour more light on Transnistria problem
- Moldovan PM chairs first meeting of commission mitigating flood consequences
- US-Mexico border: 1,200 additional National Guard troops to be deployed
- EU to implement new pilot project at Moldovan-Ukrainian border
- Moldova: 11 policemen, under investigation in Valeriu Boboc case
- 10 most important world events of 2005
- The rise and fall of Saddam Hussein
- Iraq: Saddam Hussein and another ex-senior officials sentenced to death by hanging
- Analysis: Black Sea Rivalry
- Report: Saddam Hussein has been executed
- On 31 August Moldova celebrates the Language Day
- Sexual humiliation and torture of female protesters reported
- Saddam Hussein handed over to Iraqi authorities, say lawyers
- Saddam Hussein's execution could be within next 48-36 hours
- Deadly blast at checkpoint near Peshawar