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EU Border Assistance Mission opens new Moldova Liaison Office
05.02.2010
Chisinau, 04 February 2010 The EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) officially launched a new liaison office in Chisinau today. It aims to better support the Moldovan Border Guards and Customs Services in their efforts to increase border security and facilitate legitimate trade and travel between Moldova and Ukraine.
‘The new LO demonstrates EUBAM’s commitment to supporting our partner’s efforts to ensure secure, quality border services’ said Mr. Udo Burkholder, acting Head of EUBAM. ‘Having a new office in Chisinau means we are better able to answer partner’s requests and offer advice and assistance quickly, whenever they need it’ he added.
EUBAM support to Moldovan customs and border guard services will be specifically enhanced at the strategic level, but advice and assistance will be available at the operational and tactical levels too.
The Office will also aid the EUBAM core aim of providing technical assistance in support of the international community’s peaceful conflict resolution efforts regarding the Transnistrian region of Moldova. The office will also work to actively inform the Moldovan public about the partner’s achievements and will enhance communication between the Mission, border guards, customs and the public.
The liaison office is split into two locations, the Moldovan Border Guard Service HQ and Moldovan Customs Service HQ. It has a staff of five. Two are from the EU; the Liaison Officer / Border Police Advisor and the Customs Specialist. The office has three national staff, including 2 support staff and a public relations associate.
The office’s opening is part of EUBAM’s ‘Phase 7.’ This places a stronger emphasis on developing the capacity of the partner services. The liaison office is but one of three new structures in the Mission, alongside the analytical and operational support unit and the capacity building unit. EUBAM’s current mandate runs until 30th November 2011.
EUBAM was established in November 2005 at the joint request of the Moldovan and Ukrainian Presidents. EUBAM facilitates people-to-people contacts and legitimate cross border trade and security by supporting the border guard and customs services of Moldova and Ukraine. The Mission’s role is purely technical and advisory. EUBAM is fully funded by the European Commission. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the implementing partner.
The Mission will continue to support the delivery of good quality border and customs services to the citizens and companies of Moldova, Ukraine and the European Union.
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