Newsroom Type: News

The variety of natural landscapes of EUBAM’s area of operations incudes lovely green hills, boundless fields, wide rivers and the Black Sea. In August – September 2018 EUBAM ran the photo competition “Show us your Moldovan and Ukrainian landscapes” to pay tribute to the beauty of two hosting countries.

We have received quite many stunning images illustrating the nature of Republic of Moldova and Ukraine and it was not easy for the jury to select the best ones. Besides three winners for each country, the jury decided to award a Special Prize for the Best Black-and-white Photography.

We hope you will enjoy the winning photos from fantastic photographers: gentle aquarelles of the Black Sea shore, peaceful sunsets, Martian view of a clay pit, mysterious citadel and picturesque places at the green border.

EUBAM participated into the Eastern Partnership Panel on Migration, Mobility and Integrated Border Management (IBM) held in Odesa during 27-28 September. The panel was chaired by European External Action Service (EEAS) and hosted by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) was invited to present the situation in the region.

In this context, Head of Mission, Mr Slawomir Pichor presented the progress achieved over the years by Ukrainian and Moldovan border agencies, with EUBAM’s support, in advancing the Integrated Border Management. “EUBAM works for a qualitative change in border management at the common border between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine and we, partner services and EUBAM, are advancing every day. The panel held today in Odessa was an excellent platform for sharing experience and exchanging views among Eastern Partner countries in the implementation of IBM concept”, stated Mr Pichor.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine used this opportunity to showcase to the colleagues from Eastern Partnership countries and EU institutions its accomplishments in implementation of IBM principles and modern practices of enhancing the border security in its daily work.

European Commission, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Support Group for Ukraine, European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), Customs Eastern and South-Eastern Land Border Expert Team (CELBET) also delivered valuable insights on Integrated Border Management. Representatives from all six Eastern Partnership countries were actively involved during the event: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine.

On 10-13 September 2018, customs experts from Chisinau and Tiraspol visited Poland to learn about international and EU standards in insuring Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). This study visit was a part of EUBAM wider efforts in enhancing IPR protection on both banks of the Nistru River and its alignment to the international standards.

IPR experts from the Customs Department of the Polish National Revenue Administration briefed the guests on IPR legislative and policy issues, cooperation with private sector and tasks of the WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO). Specialists from Polish Patent Office delivered a detailed presentation on the trademark protection.

The study visit also included interactive practical exercises. During the visit to the Customs Branch “Post Office” in Warsaw, the customs experts were involved in detecting IPR infringements in incoming postal shipments and physical control of selected parcels. While visiting the Customs Office I Cargo in Warsaw, the experts observed the use of IT systems for customs clearance, risk analysis and information exchange.

The study visit is a part of the series of events organised by EUBAM aimed at confidence building between the two banks of the Nistru River.

European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) has the pleasure to invite you to participate in the photo competition “Show us your Moldovan and Ukrainian landscapes” by sharing beautiful photos covering the places in the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine where EUBAM works*. Either you take a new photo or use one from your portfolio, make sure you are the copyright owner of the image.

 

Important Dates

Open for Submissions – Now!

Submission Cut-Off Date – 21 September 2018

Winners Announced – 01 October 2018

 

For inquiries and further information on competition and submissions, please contact us at mco@eubam.org.

 

Who can participate?

The competition is open to anyone and everyone, whether you are a photo enthusiast or a professional photographer. Participation is free of charge and there is no age limit. By participating in this competition, you agree and consent to be legally bound by the Terms and Conditions stated below.

 

Photo Evaluation

A panel composed of EUBAM, professional photographers and Moldovan and Ukrainian border agencies’ representatives will select 3 winners from each country. Their decision is final.

 

How to submit photos?

To participate, please send your photos via e-mail to eubamphoto@gmail.com. Participants may submit up to 3 photos each. The photos should be accompanied by a title, the          participant’s name and a short description of the location and subject, keeping landscapes from EUBAM’s area of responsibility in focus. Please ensure your image is less than 5MB when submitting. Files should be in JPG or JPEG format. The image resolution needs to have 200-300 dpi and should be printable in A4 or A3 formats.

 

Prizes and Outcomes

The winners will receive small prizes and certificates.  A selection of the best photos will be showcased on EUBAM’s website and social media pages and/or during photo exhibitions.

 

Terms and Conditions

Copyright. The International Organization for Migration (IOM)  (which is the EUBAM`s Implementing agency) shall have irrevocable, worldwide and royalty-free license to use, copy, distribute, publish and modify photos provided by participants for this competition and IOM shall have a right to authorize third parties to use and publish such photos without consent of the participant. IOM may use such photos for any purposes, including but not limited to publication in booklets, calendars, albums, websites, etc. without notifying and/or compensating the photographer.

Cancellation. IOM reserves the right to modify or cancel the competition without prior notification of existing or prospective participants.

Privacy. Personal data of participants that is collected, received, used, transferred or stored is subject to IOM Data Protection Principles.

Status of IOM. Nothing in this Terms and Conditions or in the competition affects the privileges and immunities enjoyed by IOM as an intergovernmental organization.

 

Participant declares that he/she has understood the above terms and conditions and agrees to them.  If the Participant does not acknowledge this, he/she is not permitted to participate in this Competition.

 

 

*EUBAM works on the common border between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. This is 1,222 km long, consisting of 955 km of “green” (land) border and 267 km of “blue” (river) border. The Mission is headquartered in Odesa (Ukraine) with two country offices (in Chisinau and in Odesa) and six field offices in its area of operation – three on the Moldovan side (Otaci, Chisinau, Giurgiulesti) and three on the Ukrainian side (Podilsk, Kuchurhan, Odesa and Chornomorsk Ports). EUBAM also covers the administrative boundary line between the two banks of the Nistru river that is 411 km long.

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Between 25 – 27 July, EUBAM hosted the visit of the Polish National Revenue Administration. Mr Piotr Walczak, Undersecretary of State – Deputy Head of the Polish National Revenue Administration and Mr Tadeusz Senda, Deputy Director of the Customs Department visited EUBAM HQ in Odesa and one of the Mission’s Field Offices located in Kuchurhan-Pervomaisc Jointly Operated Border Crossing Point.

During the meeting held in EUBAM HQ, Head of Mission, Mr Slawomir Pichor briefed the Polish Delegation on the Mission’s activities and achievements. He also extended gratitude to the Polish Government for supporting EUBAM by seconding customs and border guard experts. Gratefulness was also expressed to the Polish National Revenue Administration for their readiness to host study visit in the area of IPR organized by EUBAM for the customs experts from Chisinau and Tiraspol in the framework of confidence building measures.

Against this background, the Polish National Revenue Administration’s high officials promised their further support to EUBAM’s operations.

During the visit to Field Office Kuchurhan the practical, on the ground, work between EUBAM and its Moldovan and Ukrainian Partner Services was observed. There the Polish high officials also shared the Polish experience in the area of integrated border management.

On 18 July, EUBAM and its Partner Services met in Odesa and looked for opportunities to invigorate the inter-agency mobile units.

During the intense and open discussions, the parties identified the points that should be still addressed in order to overcome the existing challenges and reinforce the inter-agency mobile units.

This was also a timely opportunity especially that the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine is in the process of building the customs mobile units. On this point, the representatives of Moldovan border agencies shared their experience in establishing their service’s and inter-agency mobile units. EUBAM also presented EU practices related to functioning of this type of inter-agency cooperation mechanism.

Partner services acknowledged the opportunities and benefits coming from joint operations and agreed to continue their efforts towards advancing this concept with EUBAM’s support.

Nota bene: Mobile unit means a control unit composed, in accordance with foreseen tasks, of representatives of one or more agencies to carry out inland control and/or surveillance between border crossing points.

During the working meeting held on 12-13 July at EUBAM HQ in Odessa the representatives of border and customs agencies of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, under the Mission’s guidance, took further significant steps to develop joint border control.
Such practical issues as which border crossing points should be selected for the joint control, what criteria for selection should be used and on which side of the border the checking procedures should be conducted were in the focus of the discussion. National partners perceived with significant interest the methodology for prioritizing the border crossing points proposed by EUBAM.

The representatives of Road Administrations from the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, which joined the meeting for the first time, briefed the participants on the plans of reconstruction of roads adjacent to the border crossing points and agreed to coordinate relevant plans with the border agencies in the future.

The next steps agreed by the parties are assessment visits to important border crossing points at Moldova-Ukraine border to take place over the next two months.

EU Integrated Border Management concept regards the joint control as the best practice of harmonisation and simplification of border crossing procedures. The principle of joint control allows reducing the number of stops incurred in crossing of the border by combining the control of both countries’ border agencies at a single common location.

On 26 June, in the framework of the Advisory Board Meeting of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine that took place in Odessa, the European Commission’s Deputy Director-General for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Mr Maciej Popowski visited as well the Mission’s Headquarter. The Head of EUBAM, Mr Slawomir Pichor, introduced to the Deputy Director-General the Mission’s main achievements over the years and the main priorities for the current mandate. EUBAM’s support to the settlement of the Transnistrian issue, implementation of integrated border management and combatting cross-border crime was appreciated by the European Commission’s high representative. Furthermore, the parties compared notes on the security in the region. EUBAM’s physical presence on Moldova-Ukraine common border and the daily work shoulder to shoulder with the partner services were assessed as an important element in this field.

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.

For three days, between 29-31 May 2018, European Union Border Assistance Mission in cooperation with UK’s Fiscal Crime Liaison Office continued the series of workshops on containers’ profiling and controlling started last year in Chisinau and Cahul.

40 representatives from Moldovan Customs Service, the General Border Police Inspectorate and the State Agency for Intellectual Property Rights (AGEPI) gathered in Chisinau to share their experience on risk-based customs control for profiling containers entering and leaving the country.

Topics such as scanning of containers and interpretation of scanned images, international, intra- and inter-agency cooperation, mutual assistance and intelligence exchange were largely explored. A bulk of the presentations focused on operational and electronic risk analysis for containers profiling, containers tracking, rummaging, etc raised a lot of interest among the participants. IPR enforcement challenges in non-EU countries vs. EU Member States together with practical aspects and useful tools for containers’ profiling were debated from the IPR perspective.

Relevant study cases offering a good example of existing legal instruments like inter-agency and international forms of cooperation were presented ensuring therefore knowledge transfer.
The practical aspect of the workshop was completed by a working visit to an Internal Customs Post.

EUBAM held the previous two workshops in autumn last year.

On 14 May the Head of the European Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) Slawomir Pichor met with the Head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, Maksim Stepanov to discuss joint efforts in improving transport corridors and development of border infrastructure in Odesa Region.

Head of EUBAM briefed the Governor on introduction of joint border control at the Moldova-Ukraine border and support of the European Union in reconstruction of several border crossing points. This will cut queues and waiting time for travellers and economic operators moving their goods through the Moldova – Ukraine border. Mr Pichor also acknowledged the support of Mr Stepanov in recent launch of the modernized Chisinau – Odesa passenger train which increased comfort and significantly reduced the duration of the trip between two cities.

Mr Stepanov appreciated EUBAM’s contribution to the development of Odesa Region, particularly in improving border infrastructure, facilitation of trade and contact between people of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Mr Stepanov also briefed the Head of EUBAM on the special projects on reconstruction of main roads in Odesa region and construction of Orlivka (UA) – Isaccea (RO) ferry border crossing point, which supposed to be finished in September-October 2018. Within these projects the main roads will be connected with all regional centres and also with roads leading to the Black Sea. This will facilitate trade flows and increase traffic of tourists.

The parties agreed to consolidate their efforts in upgrading border infrastructure, development of transport corridors and increasing the border security.

On 11 May an international group of senior students from the United Kingdom’s Defence Academy visited EUBAM HQ in Odesa. Head of EUBAM Mr Slawomir Pichor briefed the delegation on EUBAM’s mandate and its contribution to the regional security and economic development and answered the students’ questions on these issues.

The Academy’s delegation consisted of 17 students from 12 countries who are undertaking the 10-month course in international strategic studies at the Royal College of Defence Studies, focusing on the themes of security, stability and prosperity at the strategic level. The post-graduate-level course aims at preparing carefully selected future leaders from around the globe for high responsibility. Since 1995 each year the course has been attended by Ukrainian representatives drown from the Ministries of Defense, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and the National Security and Defense Council.

The visit to EUBAM was a part of a month long study trip to Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Romania with the aim to examine from the strategic perspectives the current position and the future prospect of these countries.

On 23 April 2018, the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova and the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine hosted a workshop organized jointly with the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova (MDCS). The event aimed at providing updated information and consultancy on the main aspects of DCFTA rules of origin. Therefore, business community, customs officials and EUBAM experts interacted directly and found solutions for minimizing gaps in relation to trade facilitation.

The EUBAM external expert offered to the 40 participants from the Moldovan Customs Service, business community, and other relevant stakeholders from both banks of the Nistru River, a detailed presentation on EU procedures at export, such as certification of origin, no-drawback rule, cumulation of origin within PEM Convention, and control at import, mainly direct import and validity of proofs of origin.

In their turn, the MDCS representatives presented the regulations, practices and challenges in implementing DCFTA rules of origin in the Republic of Moldova and they showed openness and willingness in improving customs procedures related to trade facilitation.

The workshop was structured to provide economic operators with explanations and clarifications regarding the main aspects of DCFTA rules of origin. The produced document (Frequently Asked Questions) intends to be published on MDCS website for the easy reference of economic operators and other stakeholders.

The EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova and the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine have the pleasure to invite the business community of the Republic of Moldova to a workshop organised jointly with the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova. The event aims to provide updated information and consultancy on the main aspects of DCFTA rules of origin.

Date: 23 April 2018, from 10.45 till 13.15

Venue: Bd. Dacia 49/6 (Training Center of the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova)

You can register your participation at olga.chiperi@eubam.org.

Looking forward to see you there!

EUBAM is glad to present a photo overview of the work of the Mission and its Moldovan and Ukrainian partners in December 2017 – March 2018.

On 6 April 2018, a delegation representing European Parliament’s Committee on Budget (BUDG) chaired by the Committee’s Vice-chair Siegfried Muresan (EPP, RO), met with EUBAM in Chisinau. Ambassador Peter Michalko, Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova and his team took also part in the meeting.

The meeting was held in the framework of the visit of European parliamentarians to the Republic of Moldova between 3-6 April 2018.

Slawomir Pichor, Head of EUBAM, briefed the participants on EUBAM’s main achievements over the years and the main priorities for the current mandate, pointing out EUBAM’s contribution to the regional security and economic development. A special attention was given to the Mission’s contribution to the border and customs aspects related to DCFTA, highlighting EUBAM’s interaction with Customs Service centered on the implementation of the DCFTA with the EU. In this context, Slawomir Pichor mentioned “The support provided by EUBAM to the implementation of the EU-Moldova DCFTA focused on fine-tuning existing legal provisions, customs procedures and their practical application. Recently the Mission supported the drafting of a new Customs Code in the Republic Moldova, aligning the primary customs legislation to the Union Customs Code. The technical advice that we provided facilitated the fulfilment of the country’s commitments originating from the Association Agenda.”

Since the scope of the DCFTA application extended to Transnistria, EUBAM initiated its support to the application of the Agreement’s provision on the left bank of the Nistru River.

In view of partners’ goals and requirements related to the Association Agreement, EUBAM also assisted its partner services in implementing not only the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement but also the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. In this direction EUBAM assisted in aligning the Republic of Moldova’s legislation and procedures with those of the Schengen Area and supported the development of strategies and policies on Integrated Border Management and their on the ground implementation.

The European Parliamentary delegation expressed appreciation for EUBAM’s contribution and encouraged to continue its operations in line with the new mandate.

On 31 March 2018 EUBAM launched the 2017 Annual Report.

Read about EUBAM’s activity between 1 December 2016 – 30 November 2017 and also about the Mission’s plans for the next three years in the report posted on our website. The Report is published both in English and Russian language.

“The last twelve months have witnessed significant progress but also substantial challenges. The substantial achievements highlighted in this report are not a result of some opaque, mystical process. They are products of the Mission’s partners in the border and customs agencies of Moldova and Ukraine, and EUBAM’s own staff, and I want to thank to all of them”, noted Slawomir Pichor, Head of Mission.

On 12 March 2018 the Head of European Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) paid a visit to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in Brussels for meeting the management of Directorates dealing with customs fraud and counteracting illicit turnover of tobacco products.

The Head of EUBAM presented to OLAF’s representatives the Mission’s new mandate and its objectives, focusing on combating cross-border crime. Against this background, he provided the interlocutors an overview on the threats related to smuggling tobacco products in the region, introducing as well EUBAM’s activities and the efforts of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in counteracting this phenomenon.

On their side, OLAF’s senior managers presented the Office policy and their actions concerning counteracting cigarettes smuggling and other forms of illicit trade in tobacco products.

EUBAM and OLAF explored opportunities for mutual cooperation in this field. As a conclusion, OLAF reassured its support for the EUBAM’s operational activities and expressed also availability of using their Antifraud Information System (AFIS) as an informational platform for exchange of information during the joint border control operations coordinated by EUBAM. The parties also agreed on concerted efforts related to advocating for stepping up the fight against the smuggling of tobacco products.

Background information:
EUBAM collaborated with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on the implementation of anti-illicit tobacco strategies in both Moldova and Ukraine, as well as the closure of legal and procedural loopholes that facilitate smuggling. OLAF actively participates in the EUBAM-led Task Force Tobacco meetings.