Cooperation with the EU in the field of justice, freedom and security

On December 4, 2009, the Agreement between Ukraine and Europol on Strategic Cooperation was signed during the EU-Ukraine Summit in Kyiv.

This document is intended to facilitate the coordination of efforts of EU Member States and Ukraine in preventing and combating all forms of international crime, terrorist threats, trafficking in human beings, drugs and other psychotropic substances, and illegal migration.

This work is carried out in direct cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Europol Secretariat.

An agreement has also been reached with Europol on the conclusion of an Operational Cooperation Agreement, which aims to deepen the relevant cooperation between the parties. In particular, the agreement provides for cooperation between Ukraine and Europol in order to support the Member States of the European Union in preventing and combating organized crime, terrorism and other forms of international crime, in particular by exchanging information between Ukraine and Europol.

The parties are currently negotiating a draft agreement on operational cooperation between Ukraine and Europol.

March 11, 2015 in Kyiv, Europol - On March 19, 2015 in The Hague, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Ukraine and Europol on the establishment of a secure line of communication. This will enable the exchange of information between Ukraine and EU Member States through Europol in real time and will enhance practical cooperation with the EU institutions and contribute to the state's efforts to combat cross-border crime at national and international levels.

Cooperation with Eurojust

The European Organization of Justice (Eurojust) was established by a decision of the EU Council of 28 February 2002 to step up the fight against serious crime. The task of Eurojust is to assist the prosecuting authorities of the EU Member States in the fight against serious cross-border crime, including computer crime, fraud and corruption, money laundering and environmental crime. To this end, Eurojust coordinates the exchange of information, the provision of legal aid and the extradition process.

The parties have prepared a draft Agreement between Ukraine and Eurojust and finalized its agreement.

Cooperation with EUBAM

EUBAM (European Commission for Border Assistance in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova) was launched on 1 December 2005 at the initiative of the Presidents of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Ukraine. , Moldova and the EC on the EC Border Assistance Mission to Ukraine and Moldova dated 07.10.2005 and the Agreements (in the form of an exchange of notes). The mandate of the Mission has been extended several times, with a valid mandate valid until 1 December 2015.

Mission Structure:

Head office - Odessa.

Field offices: Ukraine - Odessa / Illichivsk, Kuchurgan and Kotovsk (with sub-offices Platonovo and Tymkovo-Slobidka, Republic of Moldova - Chisinau, Otach, Bessarabia).

Staff - about 100 international experts and 120 local staff.

The mission operates under the auspices and financial support of the European Commission.

The Head of Mission is Ambassador Andrew Tesorier, appointed on 14 August 2015.

General Mission Objectives:

• promoting the implementation of the EU Neighborhood Policy Action Plans with Ukraine and Moldova;
• building the operational and institutional capacity of Ukraine and Moldova to ensure effective border control and protection;
• assistance in resolving the Transnistrian conflict;
• Increasing the level of international cooperation in border management issues through coordinated activities in the border, customs and tax spheres.

The essence of the assistance provided by EUBAM:

• analysis of legislation;
• supervision at checkpoints, as well as the so-called. "Green border"; providing advice;
• assistance in the establishment and operation of the risk analysis system, etc.

As a result of its activities, the Mission regularly reports to the European Commission, provides the parties (Ukraine and Moldova) with conclusions and recommendations on improving the border protection system.

The main issues related to EUBAM's activities are discussed at the Mission's Advisory Council meetings, which are held every six months and include the Heads of Foreign, Border and Customs Offices of Ukraine and Moldova, the Head of the European Commission Delegation to Ukraine, the EU Special Representative in Moldova. UNDP Office in Ukraine.

The last 24th meeting of the Mission's Advisory Board took place on 30 April 2015, during which the Council welcomed EUBAM's assistance in implementing the relevant provisions of the Association Agreement and the EU's requirements for a deep and comprehensive free trade area between the Governments of Ukraine and Moldova. The next meeting is scheduled for November 4, 2015.

Coordination meetings are held regularly with the participation of coordinators from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Border and Customs Services of the two countries, which review the performance of border and customs agencies, cooperation with the Mission and plans for next month.

On the Practice of the Mission

Thanks to EUBAM's advisory assistance, demarcation of the central (Transnistrian) section of the Ukrainian-Moldovan border is being carried out in 2010-2015.

The mission constantly monitors the migration flows and foreign trade activities of Transnistrian enterprises, which promotes confidence-building measures between the parties to the conflict, provides assistance in improving the skills and professional skills of Ukrainian and Moldovan regulators on risk analysis, forgery detection, modernization of the border management system.

With the assistance of EUBAM, the mechanism of information exchange between the border and customs services of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova was improved, joint reports on border security assessment (monthly, quarterly and annual) and on the situation on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border were sent to the EC, FRONTEX and Europol, EU Embassies.

A mechanism of joint patrols on the Ukrainian-Moldovan state border has been launched, an intergovernmental agreement has been concluded, a similar agreement on joint control on the Transnistrian border has been prepared, and a joint patrol training course has been developed.

As part of the implementation of the strategic course of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova on European integration, the Mission's experts take an active part in developing and implementing plans for national Strategies for Integrated Border Management, reforming border agencies, transforming them into law enforcement agencies, etc.

A number of important projects are being implemented with the assistance of the Mission.

Documents governing cooperation

The main documents regulating cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of justice, freedom and security is the EU-Ukraine Action Plan in the field of justice, freedom and security, approved at a meeting of the Council for Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU (June 18, 2007, Luxembourg) and the Schedule for its implementation, approved at the meeting of Subcommittee № 6 "Justice, Freedom and Security" of the Committee on Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU (April 10, 2008, Luxembourg). Kyiv).

The USB Action Plan and its Implementation Schedule cover cooperation in 15 key areas, including:

• Migration,
• shelter,
• border management,
• visas,
• document security,
• fight organized crime and terrorism,
• anti-money laundering,
• countering terrorist financing,
• fight against human trafficking, drugs, corruption,
• legal cooperation in civil and criminal cases, etc.

An analysis of the implementation of the joint activities defined in the Schedule is conducted annually in the framework of the Subcommittee № 6 meetings, which are held alternately in Ukraine and Brussels.

Interaction with the EU in this area is coordinated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.