The Eubam mission at the borders of Ukraine and Moldova
(BRUSSELS2) The EU border assistance mission between Ukraine and Moldova (Eubam) was in fact established in December 2005, following the joint request of these countries (June 2005) and the signing of a "Memorandum of understanding" (November 2005) and a "joint action" of the 25 Member States. Objective: to enable the two countries to better monitor their border, prevent trafficking, smuggling and customs fraud, and improve the capacities of the control and customs services of Ukraine and Moldova in closer to European standards.
The mission is led by a senior Hungarian police official (read: Ferenc Banfi: “Eubam, a role in stabilizing the region”). It is conducted in liaison with the EU representative in Moldova, Kálmán Mizsei. The mission headquarters is located in Odessa (Ukraine). But its agents - about 200 people - 119 experts from 22 Member States reinforced by local staff - are spread over six posts on a border stretched over more than 800 kilometers. That of Odessa is in charge of the commercial port of Odessa and the huge port area; Kuchurhan supervises a portion of 213 kms (of which 74 kms with Transnistria), Kotovsk is in charge of 400 kms (with Transnistria), Otaci in the north, covers 312 kms of border; Chisinau to the west, 411 km and Basarabeasca, to the southwest, 300 km.
The budget allocated to the mission from November 2007 to November 2009 is 24 million euros. An original method of management, the Council decided to entrust the mission to the Commission, and execution was delegated to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Member States also participate through the secondment of specialized technical personnel. The mission manages a program, worth around 10 million euros, called “Bommoluk”, focused on equipment, the development of risk analysis and the training of officers in charge of controlling border points.
(NGV)
(1) For convenience, I use the term "Transnistria" which covers the Moldavian region of Transnistria, to also designate the "Moldavian Republic of Pridnestrovie or Transdrienstrie", without this including on our part any recognition of this self-proclaimed republic.
