EUBAM presented its Annual Report for 2022

Everything that happened since 24 February has inevitably left its mark on our reporting period. Today, our Ukrainian partners make tremendous efforts to ensure border and economic security at this critical time. Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports and for Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods, threatening global food security. Thus, since the beginning of the war, it was a top priority for EUBAM to support Ukrainian trade and contribute to implementing the European Commission’s Action plan for EU- situation and increased risks at the MoldovaUkraine border, EUBAM organised numerous training events for officers serving in law enforcement agencies in both countries, covering topical threats to border security. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also left its mark on the Mission’s activities related to the Transnistrian region. Now, with the two key mediators at war, 5+2 negotiations are on pause, and the overall political atmosphere

The report covers EUBAM’s principal ongoing activities and the achieved results in supporting confidence building measures across the Nistru river, implementing the Integrated Border Management concept, and combating cross-border crime.

Read more here: https://eubam.org/publications/eubamannual-report-2022/

EUBAM and its Partners searching ways to improve cargo traffic flow across borders

This week EUBAM fostered a highlevel trilateral meeting of the MD-RO-UA Regional Customs Coordination Group on Streamlining Cargo Traffic Flow and EU-UA Solidarity Lanes that focused on streamlining cargo flow through the corridor ReniGiurgiulești-Galati, one of the essential landbased corridors for Ukraine’s agricultural but also other products to the European Union. The meeting was held at the Galați border crossing point in Romania.

The southern border-crossing points through the Republic of Moldova (Giurgiulești-Reni) and further on to Romania (GiurgiuleștiGalați) have become vital lifelines for road cargo. Still, their infrastructure was not designed for such an increase in volume. As the pressure alleviation is vital for the functioning of that corridor, the neighbouring country’s customs authorities came together already the second time, having conveyed before in December, to discuss how to better manage cargo traffic in the case of emergency caused by the Russian strikes that damage critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine thus disrupting the work of border crossing points at the MoldovaUkraine border and having an impact on the movement across Moldova-Romania border.

The representatives of the Romanian Customs Authority, Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova, and State Customs Service of Ukraine appreciated EUBAM’s consistent support against the challenges in border management.

“We greatly appreciate the partnership with EUBAM, and this regional customs coordination group is very important for the relations among the customs authorities of Romania, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, especially in today’s regional context where streamlining the traffic flow at the joint borders is key”, stated Bogdan-Lari

In the spirit of good cooperation, EUBAM and the customs authorities of Romania, Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine, reiterated openness to active cooperation through coordination of joint actions and intensified efforts to ensure border protection. It was also decided to establish a trilateral working group to identify solutions to reduce the burden at the borders and to better manage traffic flow, in particular for agricultural products.

Mihei, President

of the Romanian Customs Authority.