For the purpose of rapid cooperation, Vadym Melnyk took the initiative to create a permanent working group of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine and the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM). It is about the operational exchange of data not only within the framework of pre-trial investigations, but also analytical information. Such agreements were reached during the meeting of the Head of the Mission (EUBAM) Slawomir Pichor and the Director of the ESBU Vadym Melnyk in Kyiv.

The parties also agreed to continue discussions on the coordination of actions in joint operations with the competent authorities of the Republic of Moldova and the exchange of information with the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova.

The meeting was aimed at considering three urgent issues - overcoming the threats of cross-border crime, including combating duty evasion in the case of illegal movement of goods, combating the illegal circulation of excise goods across the border between Moldova and Ukraine, and providing assistance in the institutional development of the Bureau.

Countering the illegal circulation of tobacco products across the Ukrainian-Moldovan border is a particularly relevant direction. In the end, the participants determined directions for further cooperation in combating crimes that harm economic security.

Slawomir Piсhor noted: "EUBAM will continue to provide support and is ready to expand cooperation, in particular with regard to conducting joint exercises, trainings and seminars."In addition, the Mission will begin to help in the institutional development of the ESBU, will contribute to the formation of a technical base, the acquisition of software products, which is especially important for the development of the body in the conditions of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.

For reference: The European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) began its work in 2005. It has representative offices in Odesa (Ukraine) and Chisinau (Moldova) and six field offices: three from the Moldovan side of the common border and three from the Ukrainian side.

The mission is working together with Moldova and Ukraine to bring the standards and procedures of border management, customs and trade in line with those in EU member states. It helps improve cross-border cooperation between border and customs departments, as well as other law enforcement agencies and promotes international cooperation.