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GEORGIA AND ARMENIA TAKE STEPS TOWARDS SECURING THE BORDER
The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 22 2013
By Salome Modebadze Tuesday, October 22 Border security is one of the
main preconditions for ensuring successful trade relations between
the bordering countries. It also serves as prevention against crime
and thus enables the countries to exchange mutual benefits across
the border.
The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) presented the results
of the EU-funded Enhancement of the Border Management Capabilities at
Ninotsminda-Bavra border crossing point between Georgia and Armenia
(NBIBM) at the closing conference at Radisson Blu Iveria on October 15.
NBIBM Manager, Nikoloz Samkharadze, presented the results of the
NBIBM project which started in October 2012 and ends in March 2014. He
explained that the capacity building project was considered for a year,
while afterwards it will continue with the infrastructural activities.
This 2.5 million Euro project has 100% EU contribution, while UNDP
is the lead agency for the project's implementation. Latvia is the
main partner together with France. Two project country offices are
located in Tbilisi and Yerevan, while the UNDP country offices ensure
a coordinated approach to the project implementation in Georgia
and Armenia.
Head of UNDP in Georgia, Niels Scott, said to make the movement of
people and goods across the border more fluent, and easier for people
and transporters, in the standards of security is the big opportunity
of the project.
The EU and the UNDP are assisting the governments of Armenia and
Georgia to maintain open but secure borders. The program runs in
co-operation with the International Centre for Migration Policy
Development (ICMPD) and the EU Member States - Latvia, France.
The program demonstrated the advantages of Integrated Border
Management as one of the most effective mechanisms for facilitating
the movement of people and goods while at the same time maintaining
secure borders. It also works to better equip border check-points
and to ensure effective and modern border and customs control.
According to the Head of the EU Delegation to Georgia, Ambassador
Philip Dimitrov, the NBIBM is a successful project because integrated
border management is all about guaranteeing the security and mobility
for movement and trade, by using basic freedoms.
Dimitrov said that this all is in connection with the necessity
to address challenges like cross-border crime, organized crime,
trafficking and many others. According to the EU Ambassador the process
will not end, but will continue with the other border management
projects that are coming.
One such project is the future initiative at the Bagratashen-Sadakhlo
border crossing point (BCP) which was also unveiled on last Tuesday.
Discussing the achievements and prospects of the Integrated Border
Management Project in the South Caucasus on the example of the project
at the Ninotsminda-Bavra border crossing point, Commander of the State
Border Service of the Republic of Latvia, Normuds Garbars, said that
by maintaining open and secure borders between Georgia and Armenia,
would result in a peaceful South Caucasus and Europe.
The project between Georgia and Armenia includes the provision
of modern facility, training in risk management, protection of
international property, and other useful activities in terms of
protecting border security. The Head of the Customs Department, Revenue
Service of Georgia, Vladimer Khundadze said this is a precondition
for deepening the trade relations between the two countries.
Representatives of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance
and National Security Council of Georgia, and the National Security
Council, National Security Service, Police and Revenue Committee of
Armenia attended the conference together with the senior officers from
the State Border Guard Service of Latvia who provided assistance and
consultation throughout the project.
Head of Administration Board, State Border Guard of Latvia, Vladimiris
Zaguzovs positively estimated the project. As recommendations for the
next step he said the cooperation should be strengthened between the
border delegates to have regular exchange of information, as well as
the draft legal acts and rules should be approved.
http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/2973_october_22_2013/2973_undp.html
The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 22 2013
By Salome Modebadze Tuesday, October 22 Border security is one of the
main preconditions for ensuring successful trade relations between
the bordering countries. It also serves as prevention against crime
and thus enables the countries to exchange mutual benefits across
the border.
The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) presented the results
of the EU-funded Enhancement of the Border Management Capabilities at
Ninotsminda-Bavra border crossing point between Georgia and Armenia
(NBIBM) at the closing conference at Radisson Blu Iveria on October 15.
NBIBM Manager, Nikoloz Samkharadze, presented the results of the
NBIBM project which started in October 2012 and ends in March 2014. He
explained that the capacity building project was considered for a year,
while afterwards it will continue with the infrastructural activities.
This 2.5 million Euro project has 100% EU contribution, while UNDP
is the lead agency for the project's implementation. Latvia is the
main partner together with France. Two project country offices are
located in Tbilisi and Yerevan, while the UNDP country offices ensure
a coordinated approach to the project implementation in Georgia
and Armenia.
Head of UNDP in Georgia, Niels Scott, said to make the movement of
people and goods across the border more fluent, and easier for people
and transporters, in the standards of security is the big opportunity
of the project.
The EU and the UNDP are assisting the governments of Armenia and
Georgia to maintain open but secure borders. The program runs in
co-operation with the International Centre for Migration Policy
Development (ICMPD) and the EU Member States - Latvia, France.
The program demonstrated the advantages of Integrated Border
Management as one of the most effective mechanisms for facilitating
the movement of people and goods while at the same time maintaining
secure borders. It also works to better equip border check-points
and to ensure effective and modern border and customs control.
According to the Head of the EU Delegation to Georgia, Ambassador
Philip Dimitrov, the NBIBM is a successful project because integrated
border management is all about guaranteeing the security and mobility
for movement and trade, by using basic freedoms.
Dimitrov said that this all is in connection with the necessity
to address challenges like cross-border crime, organized crime,
trafficking and many others. According to the EU Ambassador the process
will not end, but will continue with the other border management
projects that are coming.
One such project is the future initiative at the Bagratashen-Sadakhlo
border crossing point (BCP) which was also unveiled on last Tuesday.
Discussing the achievements and prospects of the Integrated Border
Management Project in the South Caucasus on the example of the project
at the Ninotsminda-Bavra border crossing point, Commander of the State
Border Service of the Republic of Latvia, Normuds Garbars, said that
by maintaining open and secure borders between Georgia and Armenia,
would result in a peaceful South Caucasus and Europe.
The project between Georgia and Armenia includes the provision
of modern facility, training in risk management, protection of
international property, and other useful activities in terms of
protecting border security. The Head of the Customs Department, Revenue
Service of Georgia, Vladimer Khundadze said this is a precondition
for deepening the trade relations between the two countries.
Representatives of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance
and National Security Council of Georgia, and the National Security
Council, National Security Service, Police and Revenue Committee of
Armenia attended the conference together with the senior officers from
the State Border Guard Service of Latvia who provided assistance and
consultation throughout the project.
Head of Administration Board, State Border Guard of Latvia, Vladimiris
Zaguzovs positively estimated the project. As recommendations for the
next step he said the cooperation should be strengthened between the
border delegates to have regular exchange of information, as well as
the draft legal acts and rules should be approved.
http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/2973_october_22_2013/2973_undp.html