EUBAM IMPACT

Together with its partners, EUBAM has achieved significant results in improvement of border management and customs procedures. Our effectiveness is only as great, however, as the progress made by our partners in Moldova and Ukraine, so the following are among our joint achievements:

Enhanced professionalism of officers

More than 5,200 staff members from partner services have benefitted from EUBAM training on EU standards and best practice. The Mission’s comprehensive training programme includes individual training for practitioners, train-the-trainers events, and study visits to EU Member States. It focuses on areas such as trade facilitation, risk analysis, management and leadership, examination and identification techniques, and public communication.

Support for organisational development

EUBAM provides assistance to its customs and border-guard partners towards the attainment of EU standards based upon EU customs blueprints and the Schengen Acquis. This strategic support includes assistance in the development of modern legislation and internal regulation. Support is also provided on organisational issues, strategic planning and trade facilitation. EUBAM has also assisted its partners in Moldova and Ukraine in developing new customs codes.

Combating cross-border crime

With EUBAM assistance, the key border agencies of Moldova and Ukraine, as well as EU agencies such as FRONTEX, EUROPOL and OLAF, participate in regular Joint Border Control Operations (JBCOs). These have led to numerous detections of smuggling activities, irregular migration and customs fraud. The last JBCO, AKKERMAN, resulted in seizures worth EUR 3.2 million, a six-fold increase on seizures made during JBCO TYRA 2010. EUBAM also advises its partners on the investigation of complex criminal cases involving cross-border crime and requiring the cooperation of international law-enforcement agencies.

Combating customs fraud

Since 2008 the Moldovan and Ukrainian customs services have been able to electronically exchange information imports and exports crossing the common border. The Pre-Arrival Information Exchange System (PAIES), established with EUBAM’s assistance, is a key element in identifying various kinds of customs fraud. It also enhances transparency concerning the movement of goods across the Central (or Transnistrian) segment of the border, which is without a Moldovan customs presence.

Simplifying border crossing

In order to decrease border crossing time by simplifying border control procedures for legitimate trade and travellers, EUBAM is supporting the establishment of Jointly Operated Border Crossing Points (JOBCPs) at the Moldova-Ukraine border. The essence of a JOBCP is that travellers are stopped at just one checkpoint, by the authorities of the entry country only.

Assessing and analysing risks

EUBAM has supported the development of the Common Border Security Assessment Report (CBSAR), an analysis of risks on the Moldova-Ukraine border that is produced jointly with partner services on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis. This analysis alerts the border agencies of both countries to possible illegal activity and emerging trends on the common border. As a result, the border agencies are better prepared to counteract and prevent such activities. 

Confidence-building measures

EUBAM’s monitoring of the implementation of the Joint Declaration of 30 December 2005 – under which companies based in the Transnistrian part of Moldova can access the EU trade preferences  granted to Moldova – has seen hundreds of Transnistrian-based companies register with the customs authorities in Chisinau. EUBAM assistance also played a role in the resumption of the Chisinau-Odessa passenger railway line in 2010, and the Mission is currently facilitating a trilateral process aimed at a full resumption of cargo rail traffic through Transnistria. Such measures help to create an environment more conducive to a settlement of the Transnistria conflict.  

IBM, visa liberalization and border demarcation

Integrated Border Management (IBM) is the concept the EU has embraced as the modern template for coherent and coordinated border management systems. EUBAM is providing technical advice to its Moldovan and Ukrainian partners as they implement IBM action plans. This follows an IBM strategy (Moldova) and IBM concept (Ukraine) having been approved at the end of 2010. The Mission is also offering technical support as its partners implement visa liberalization action plans. Meanwhile, EUBAM provides expertise and equipment to the Joint Ukrainian Moldovan Commission on Border Demarcation in the demarcation of the common Moldova-Ukraine border.