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Newsroom back News Press releases Speeches Multimedia and publications back Photo gallery Video gallery Publications Work with us back Work with us Vacancies Tenders Contacts Newsroom Head of EUBAM holds working meeting with the Head of the Odesa Re... 20.12.2022 On 19 December, Head of European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) Slawomir Pichor was on a working visit to Odesa to discuss economic and border security of the region. During the visit, the Head of Mission held a working meeting with the Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration Maksym Marchenko along with representatives of regional border guard and customs services’ management. The Head of EUBAM briefed the participants on the Mission’s activities and latest trends at the Moldova-Ukraine border. The parties discussed energy situation in the region and its influence on the transit capacity of the Moldova-Ukraine border. The sides also discussed the optimization of cargo flows from Ukraine to the EU, as well as the ways to ensure the steady export of grain from Ukraine and import of vital goods from European states. At the same time, representatives of Odesa region’s border and customs authorities commended the good cooperation with the Mission, highlighting the training events for more than one hundred Ukrainian Customs Officers in last five months. Maksym Marchenko emphasized the importance of EUBAM’s work in the Odesa region during the war. "The Ukraine-Moldova border had been formed over decades and it is not just a strip of land that separates two states, it is a complex mechanism and our joint task is to maintain its safe and comfortable functionality, especially now during the period of martial law," said the Head of the Regional Military Administration. In his turn, Slawomir Pichor stressed the Mission’s support for the development of border infrastructure in the Odesa region that will strengthen the transport potential of Ukraine. In particular, the Head of EUBAM advocated for the launch of full-fledged joint control at Basarabeasca-Serpneve-1 railway BCP. Slawomir Pichor stated, “EUBAM continues support and is ready to cooperate even more to provide assistance to Ukraine in effective border management, while maintaining a high level of security”. More... EUBAM, Moldovan, Romanian and Ukrainian customs working together ... 12.12.2022 Under the auspices of European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), trilateral meeting in Giurgiulesti, brings together Moldovan, Romanian and Ukrainian customs authorities to enhance the response to arising emergency and to improve cargo flow in Reni-Giurgiulesti-Galati area. One of the essential routes from Ukraine to the EU runs through the Republic of Moldova (Giurgiulesti-Reni) and further on to Romania (Giurgiulesti-Galati). With the onset of Russian war of aggression and blockade of maritime transportation corridors, these roads in the South are of a vital importance for Ukrainian economy, both in terms of export of agricultural goods and import of so much needed fuel and humanitarian aid. Now, with the intensification of indiscriminate Russian missile strikes at Ukrainian critical infrastructure, the borders between these three countries are even more overloaded and to get from Ukraine to Romania through the Republic of Moldova for one truck, it can take more than a week. That’s why, on 8 December 2022, in Giurgiulesti (the Republic of Moldova), EUBAM convened a working meeting with management of the regional customs authorities from the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. The participants examined current situation at the borders between the three countries in Reni-Giurgiulesti-Galati triangle, looking for practical solutions to alleviate the pressure on the overloaded border infrastructure. During the meeting, the parties discussed possible ways to optimize contingency procedures to better manage the cargo traffic in case of emergency power outages. The sides noted the importance of delivering new generators, fuel, and uninterruptible power supply systems for Border Crossing Points in Reni-Giurgiulesti-Galati area. At the same time representatives of the three customs agencies explored possibilities to enhance organization of cargo traffic. For instance, the sides indicated the possibility of re-directing trucks to less congested BCPs and revitalizing the work of additional BCPs in vicinity of Giurgiulesti-Reni. While discussing the current situation at strategic level, the participants highlighted a need for the swift opening of the Basarabeasca-Berezino rail connection that will allow the daily transportation of more than ten thousand tons of cargo, thus significantly reducing the congestion at the Moldova-Ukraine road BCPs. Parties also underlined the importance of broader use of NCTS for streamlining the cargo flow and increasing awareness of Ukrainian business to use it more actively. In the end, the sides agreed to coordinate joint actions and continue cooperation in handling emergency situations caused by indiscriminate Russian missile strikes. [metaslider id="4509"] More... Conflict Resolution 21.12.2017 EUBAM contributes towards the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict through the official international negotiation mechanism (the “5+2” process) and its related expert working groups. EUBAM develops and advocates for technical confidence-building measures between Chisinau and Tiraspol on transport, customs, veterinary and phytosanitary, and law enforcement issues. The Mission has been a consistent advocate for the re-opening of the international transport corridors that cross Transnistria. Indeed, in 2012, EUBAM’s proposals helped to re-open rail freight through Transnistria that had been suspended for six years. Agnieszka Wawrzyk, Team Leader of EUBAM’s Transnistrian Settlement Office, explains how the Mission attempts to build co-operation between Chisinau and Tiraspol. https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=qu8cAGFw3H8 https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=qu8cAGFw3H8 EUBAM’s role is not just to ensure that confidence building measures start, but also to make sure they are sustained. In 2010 the passenger rail link between Chisinau and Odesa through Transnistria was reactivated after a four year hiatus. The resumed link has been seen as a positive step in people-to-people contacts and practical co-operation between the two banks of the Dniester River. Five years later, low passenger numbers jeopardised its viability, reducing the service’s frequency to only twice a week. Following an EUBAM-led assessment in June 2016, enhancements to the service were agreed to reduce journey times and make the train more attractive for cross border travellers. Six under-used stops were cancelled and in December 2016 Moldova’s Customs Service introduced Customs control at Chisinau railway station. Tiraspol also shortened the stop at Bender station significantly from 25 minutes to 3. These changes have revitalised the service, with 45 minutes reduced off the journey time and train ridership increased to 90% of capacity. Moldovan Customs revenues have also improved. The Mission is also active in monitoring the 453km-long Transnistrian segment of the Moldova-Ukraine border, as well as the 411km-long administrative boundary line within the Republic of Moldova. EUBAM’s Field Offices in Chisinau, Kuchurhan and Podilsk ensure a daily presence at the border and administrative boundary line, and help to ensure: Human rights of travellers crossing at the Transnistrian segment of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border are respected. Free movement of people and goods across the administrative boundary line and the Transnistrian segment of the border with Ukraine are maintained. Cross border and trans-boundary problems are resolved as they arise. More... News archive What we do? AA/DCFTA Combating customs fraud Combating drug smuggling Combating Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Human Beings Combating Tobacco Smuggling AA/DCFTA Both Moldova and Ukraine signed Association Agreements with the EU in 2014. This marked a new stage in the development of the EU’s bilateral relations with both countries, aiming at political association and economic integration. Trade and trade-related matters feature heavily in the Association Agreements with both Moldova and Ukraine under Title IV. Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTAs) between the EU-Moldova and EU-Ukraine were established in June 2014 and January 2016 respectively. They oblige the mutual opening of markets for goods and services.