ANNUALANNUAL REPORTREPORT • 1 DEDECEMBERCEMBER 20201616 - 3300N0 NNOVEMBEROVEMBER2R 22017017 EUROPEAN UNION BORDER ASSISTANCE MISSION TO MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE ANNUAL REPORT 1 DECEMBER 2016 30 NOVEMBER 2017 www.eubam.orgwww.eueubamam.ororg 1 EUBAM AREA OF OPERATIONS ANNUAL REPORT • 1 DECEMBER 2016 - 30 NOVEMBER 2017 CONTENTS FOREWORD FROM THE HEAD OF MISSION ......................................................2 2017 ACHIEVEMENTS ............................................................................................4 FOREWORDS FROM OUR PARTNER SERVICES ...............................................6 ADVISORY BOARD ..................................................................................................10 EFFECTIVELY MANAGING BORDERS ...................................................................12 TRADE FACILITATION ..............................................................................................16 COMBATING CROSS BORDER CRIME ................................................................20 BUILDING CONFIDENCE ACROSS THE DNIESTER ...........................................26 EUBAM TODAY .........................................................................................................30 EUBAM’S STRUCTURE ...........................................................................................31 ANNEX I: EUBAM 12 ACTION PLAN .....................................................................32 www.eubam.org 1 FOREWORD FROM THE HEAD OF MISSION Foremost amongst the cross-border threats joint control must address is cigarette smuggling. The tobacco industry has forecast that Ukraine’s 2017 national budget will lose up to UAH 1 billion in revenue. Therefore, the Government of Ukraine’s decision on 23 August to approve a National Strategy for Countering Illegal Manufacturing and Turnover of Tobacco Goods is warmly welcome. The need for the Strategy was identified at the Mission’s Task Force Tobacco meeting, and EUBAM was then instrumental in bringing together input from the Ukrainian government, tobacco industry and the EU. Once implemented, it promises to significantly increase tax revenues for Ukraine and EU Member States, money which can be used for public health, transport or education. On Transnistria, the Mission’s support for confidence- building measures between Chisinau and Tiraspol remains under-utilised. Although very promising interaction between the parties was initiated on phytosanitary matters, agreements on a range of customs and transport issues have proven elusive, despite readily-available technical solutions. he daily work of the Mission must always be future- EUBAM’s new mandate will also signal the closure of its Tfacing. Yet there are occasions when we have the support in several areas, as the Mission reconfigures luxury of reflecting on the achievements, and challenges, away from the central, policy-level. This includes the that have defined the last year. The Annual Report offers end of support to customs policy and legal reforms. such an opportunity. It also marks a watershed moment But I am proud that the Mission has made a sound in the life of EUBAM as the Mission is moving to a new, contribution to the smooth introduction of the more focused mandate from 1 December 2017. DCFTAs (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas) in Moldova and Ukraine, by providing technical advice The last twelve months have witnessed significant in different areas. The steps taken by our partner progress but also substantial challenges. On 11 June, services, notably the drafting of a new Customs Code Ukrainian citizens were finally able to enjoy visa-free in Moldova, signify the ever-increasing alignment to travel to the Schengen Area. It was the culmination EU standards. of many years hard work by several government agencies in Ukraine, not least the State Border Guard Finally, we should not forget that the substantial Service, and they are to be congratulated. The genuine achievements highlighted in this report are not a enthusiasm visa liberalisation generated amongst the result of some opaque, mystical process. They are business community and the general public reminds products of the hard work, skill and perseverance us that our efforts must always focus on making of the Mission’s partners in the border and customs tangible differences to peoples’ everyday lives: be it agencies of Moldova and Ukraine, and EUBAM’s own easier travel, greater business opportunities or more staff, and I want to thank to all of them. On a personal security. note, having assumed the leadership of EUBAM on 1 December 2017, I want also to pay tribute to my That is also the essence of Integrated Border predecessor, Andrew Tesoriere, for his dedication in Management (IBM) practices. The Mission’s efforts leading EUBAM from August 2015 until November to promote IBM for the last two years culminated in 2017. October 2017 with the expansion of an agreement between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to At the beginning of the new mandate, EUBAM looks introduce joint border control. The Agreement marks forward to further support Moldova’s and Ukraine’s a qualitative change in advancing of IBM, aiming efforts to effectively manage their common border at facilitation of trade in goods and movement of and to contribute to the regional security, economic people. When implemented, the new agreement will stability and sustainable development of the region. necessitate closer inter-agency co-operation between the border agencies in each country, a key challenge EUBAM continues to highlight to our partners. It also promises more efficient border crossings and closer co-operation between the countries to identify and prevent cross-border crime. Slawomir Pichor Head of EUBAM 2 ANNUAL REPORT • 1 DECEMBER 2016 - 30 NOVEMBER 2017 3 2017 ACHIEVEMENTS FOSTERING CO-OPERATION On 6 October 2017, the Cabinet of Ministers of and provides for measures to increase the efficiency Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of of border control, including the implementation of Moldova concluded a new Agreement on joint control. “one-stop” controls, risk selectivity and traveller’s data The document marks a significant step towards the exchange between services in Moldova and Ukraine. enhancement of the cooperation between the border Ukraine and Moldova also launched the first phase of control authorities of both countries. Once ratified, the joint control at Kuchurhan road border crossing point Agreement will replace the one signed in March 1997, in July. COMBATING CROSS-BORDER CRIME On 23 August 2017, Ukraine approved the National Strategy for Countering Illegal Manufacturing and Turnover of Tobacco Goods. The strategy was drafted jointly by EUBAM experts, the Ukrainian Association of Tobacco Producers (Ukrtyutyun) and Ukrainian border, customs and law enforcement agencies, and is intended to prevent unlawful movement of tobacco goods across the State border, significantly enhance inter-agency cooperation and expected to serve as an effective basis for deeper partnerships with EU and international agencies. 4 ANNUAL REPORT • 1 DECEMBER 2016 - 30 NOVEMBER 2017 FACILITATING TRADE On 4 May 2017, the Mission and Moldova’s Customs they have already led to tangible progress in improving Service launched a study on the customs procedures trade facilitation procedures. Better pre-arrival at Giurgiulesti International Free Port. It sought to information sharing, revised handling of livestock increase the port’s trade and competitiveness by shipments and the development of new technological recommending measures to improve the efficiency norms incorporating International Maritime of customs, phytosanitary and veterinary procedures. Organisation’s FAL (Facilitation of International Port Users’ Forums facilitated by the Mission in Maritime Traffic) Convention recommendations were summer and autumn of 2017 have proven to be a agreed on. popular format among Government and business and BUILDING CONFIDENCE Building on the momentum gained in autumn 2016, EUBAM continued advising and implementing two joint workshops on phytosanitary trade and control standards for experts from both sides of the Dniester River. As a practical example, the EU System TRACES was presented to the phytosanitary experts both from Chisinau and Tiraspol. Moreover, EUBAM short-term expert evaluated the existent phytosanitary procedures and delivered an assessment report on phytosanitary import and export control performed at the border of Moldova and Ukraine. Transnistria acknowledged the recommendations. www.eubam.org 5 FOREWORDS FROM OUR PARTNER SERVICES The General Inspectorate of Border Police of the Republic of Moldova The Eastern Partnership’s IBM Panel continues to be an effective platform to advance initiatives on ensuring capacity building. In this context, EUBAM assistance was valuable in promoting the project concepts designed to improve infrastructure and control mechanisms at the borders. The state of play in terms of border control procedures, aspects related to Moldovan Border Police’s capabilities in the field of border control and border surveillance proves once again the positive presence of EUBAM in the capacity building process of our agency. Recognizing risk-analysis as a cornerstone for tackling potential threats and risks related to border security, among other joint activities conducted in compliance with EUBAM Action Plan, we must point out the provision of expertise and consultancy in the field of risk-analysis and continued work of EU and Moldovan experts on joint information-analytical