The European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) was launched in 2005. The legal basis for EUBAM is the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the European Commission and the Governments of Moldova and Ukraine on 7 October 2005.

The current Mission’s mandate is valid until 30 November 2023.

EUBAM promotes border control, customs and trade norms and practices that meet European Union standards, and serve the needs of its two partner countries.

The Mission works with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to harmonise border control, customs and trade standards and procedures with those in EU Member States. It helps to improve cross-border cooperation between the border guard and customs agencies and other law enforcement bodies and to facilitate international cooperation. EUBAM activities promote economic development and enhance regional security.
The Mission’s aims are to:
• contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict by supporting development of Transnistria-related confidence-building measures and approximation of legislation and procedures in customs, trade, transport and trans-boundary management;
• ensure the full implementation of Integrated Border Management (IBM) practices at the Moldova-Ukraine border;
• assist Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities to combat cross-border crime more effectively.

The terms of cooperation between the Mission and its Moldovan and Ukrainian partner services is outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, signed on 7 October 2005. The MoU stipulates the mandate, coordination mechanisms and status of the Mission, assistance, legal responsibilities, and duration of the Mission. Although EUBAM’s support/advisory role confers on it certain privileges, it does not have executive powers. Funded by the European Union within the context of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, and with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) acting as implementing partner, EUBAM is an advisory, technical body mandated to enhance the border-management capacities of its partners – the border guard and customs authorities and other law enforcement agencies of Moldova and Ukraine. By offering comprehensive support from its HQ and Field Offices, EUBAM promotes legitimate travel and trade and supports the alignment of border and customs procedures and standards with those prevalent in the European Union.

The EUBAM Mandate allows the Mission to:

• be present and observe customs clearance and border guard checks
• as part of its advisory role, to examine border control documents and records (including computerised data)
• provide assistance in preventing smuggling of persons and goods
• request the re-examination and re-assessment of any consignment of goods already processed
• make unannounced visits to any locations on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, including border units, customs posts, offices of transit, inland police stations, revenue accounting offices and along transit routes
• move freely within the territories of Moldova and Ukraine
• cross the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border with only strictly necessary control and without any delay
• use all roads and bridges without payment of taxes and dues
• have access to appropriate telecommunications equipment
• import and export goods which are for official use of the Mission

The Mission has two Country Offices in Odessa (Ukraine) and Chisinau (Moldova) and six field offices – three on the Moldovan side of the joint border and three on the Ukrainian side. The mandate of the Mission has already been extended five times (in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2017), with the current mandate expiring on 30 November 2020.

Slawomir Pichor

Over the course of his professional career, General Slawomir Pichor has served in border management and customs agencies. He was a part of EUBAM’s senior management team twice in the past. First, as the Deputy Head of Mission from 2010 to 2013 and second, as the Head of EUBAM Office in Moldova from 2016 to 2017.

In Poland, his native country, General Pichor served in the Customs Service where he held several executive positions. He was a Regional Director from 2002 to 2007 and the Deputy Director General of the Polish Customs Service from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2014 to 2015. In his capacity, as the Deputy Director General, he coordinated border-related strategic modernization programmes and was responsible for day-to-day border management and combating cross-border crime at the EU external land border.

He closely cooperated with the European Commission services and EU Member states on improving the operational cooperation and performance at the EU external border.

He speaks English and Russian.