7/10/2005
EU Sends Border Guards to Moldova and Ukraine

The European Union wishes to contribute to the strengthening of border controls between Moldova and Ukraine which is the transit point for rampant smuggling. A protocol of agreement between the European Commission, Moldova and Ukraine was signed this week. It will pave the way for the deployment on December 1, 2005 of an EU technical assistance mission for Ukrainian and Moldovan border guards.

The purpose of the mission is to augment the capacity of the Moldovan and Ukrainian governments to monitor and patrol borders in order to reduce the risks linked to the expansion of cross-border criminal activities from Trans-Dniester.

The EU mission has a two-year mandate, which could be extended if need be, and a community budget of 7 million euros. It will consist of a 15-man team aided by 50 or so customs officials and border guards detached from EU member states. The political supervision of the mission will be handled by the European Union Council and the EU special representative for Moldova.