Border Guards from Ukraine and Belarus Examine Technical Border Surveillance in Finland

A joint delegation of Belarusian and Ukrainian border guards traveled to Finland on 10-14 November 2014 to explore the Finnish Border Guard’s use of modern specialized surveillance for border protection. The visit was organized as part of the EU-funded project titled, “Strengthening surveillance and bilateral coordination capacity along the common border between Belarus and Ukraine (SURCAP Phase II)”.

Through a number of site visits to Finnish Border Guard units throughout the country, including the North Karelia Border Guard District that abuts the Russian Federation, the officers from Ukraine and Belarus obtained unique and detailed technical knowledge on the best practices of comprehensive border surveillance using modern technology. The trip participants not only learned about use of equipment and other technology, but also delved into issues of maintenance, technical support, and resource management, which plays a crucial role in enabling a robust and long-lasting response to border challenges.

Moreover, during the study trip, the border officials from the visiting countries established working relations with their colleagues from the Finnish Border Guard. To ensure further sustainability and long lasting effects, the Belarusian and Ukrainian border guards will share the acquired knowledge with the respective staff of their own border agencies and remain in contact with their new Finnish counterparts.

Background:
The regional project titled “Strengthening surveillance and bilateral coordination capacity along the common border between Belarus and Ukraine (SURCAP Phase II)” will be implemented in 2014-2016. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by IOM with the support of ICMPD. The project’s budget for the two countries constitutes EUR 5,350,000, covering the training and equipment procurement components.

For more detailed information, please contact the responsible IOM officer in Minsk:
Pavel Kholod, Programmes Coordinator, IOM Minsk, tel: (375 17) 284 40 82