During 21-25 July, ICMPD organised a study visit to Poland for the Moldovan law enforcement community, focusing on Integrated Border Management (IBM). A range of experiences and lessons were shared during the visit to support Moldova in designing its national IBM strategy.
As Moldova advances with its EU accession, there is growing pressure to align its policies with the EU standards. A key part of this effort is drafting and implementing its national Integrated Border Management (IBM) programmatic document for the next five-year cycle.
Building on long-standing cooperation with Poland, the study visit provided Moldovan officials with practical insights into the drafting, implementing and monitoring of an IBM strategic document in line with the pertaining European guidelines. The Moldovan delegation exchanged with the experts of the Polish Border Guard along various IBM topics such as border control and surveillance, inter-agency and international cooperation, information exchange, as well as fundamental rights protection. Case studies were also discussed to provide practical examples of how IBM can be effectively designed and implemented. The Moldovan delegation gained a better understanding of operational challenges and possible constraints, all of which are crucial for an effective border management with all pertinent agencies on board. Both parties expressed their commitment to continuing this exchange of knowledge and expertise in the future, ensuring that Moldova’s border management policy evolves in line with European standards.
For a more practical insight, the Moldovan delegation visited Terespol – a key border crossing point at the EU external border with Belarus. This visit facilitated an in-depth exchange with the practitioners on the ground, allowing Moldovan representatives to learn about the procedures and equipment used in the field, inter-agency cooperation, as well as the challenges and issues encountered in daily work.
Finally, the Moldovan delegation took the chance while in Poland to pay a visit to the Frontex Headquarters in Warsaw. This was a good occasion to learn about Frontex’s broader and longer-term vision for a European Integrated Border Management concept, as well as about various opportunities for support through available expertise, specialised training and policy assessments. The delegation also had the chance to visit the Frontex Situation Centre and observe first-hand how the agency carries out its 24/7 monitoring and analysis of the EU's external borders and surrounding areas.
Funded by the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic and implemented by ICMPD, the SCOP project supports Moldovan authorities in strengthening migration and border management systems in line with the EU acquis. It aims to enhance the resilience and capacity of the Moldovan Border Police, ensuring effective border management and timely responses to crisis situations. Given Moldova's EU candidate status and the current regional security context, the project plays a vital role in fostering cooperation to combat transnational crime, ensuring safe cross-border movement, and improving the quality of services provided by border authorities.