Pinsk Hosts Equipment Handover Ceremony within SURCAP-2 Project

On October 13, 2016, Pinsk hosted the equipment handover ceremony within EU-funded SURCAP-2 Project, being implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The equipment will be utilized by the State Border Committee (SBC) for Belarus-Ukraine border patrol enhancement.

Among the participants of the ceremony were representatives of Ukrainian and Belarusian border guard services, EU Delegation to Belarus, IOM Regional Director for South-Eastern, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Chief of IOM Minsk Mission, as well as representatives of other international organizations, diplomatic missions, and governmental agencies.

Leonid Maltsev, Head of the SBC, pointed out that thanks to the SURCAP-2 project the technical infrastructure of the border guard service on Belarus-Ukraine border was modernized:

This will contribute to our work on the development of the integrated border management system with the use of the cutting-edge technologies developed in the field of the border control.

Jim Cousens, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Belarus, highlighted the fact the EU is interested n having secure and functioning borders, so as to ensure efficient detection and management of migration, smuggling, and illegal border crossings.

At the same time, we are interested in having borders, which unite us and are easy for people and traders to cross when needed.

Argentina Szabados, IOM Regional Director, paid attention to the contribution of the SURCAP-2 project into the management of Belarus-Ukraine border , focusing on the urgent character of national security issues in the context of current global migration situation:

Coming back to Belarus, such bilateral projects as SURCAP 1 and 2, as well as PRINEX, funded by the EU and implemented by IOM for the benefit of Belarus and Ukraine, are an important practical proof that the two countries are moving in the right direction by joining efforts and enhancing interstate cooperation to make migration more secure, humane and beneficial for all.

Participants and guests of the ceremony had a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the equipment: all-terrain cars, Quadro-cycle, swamp vehicle, motorcycles, rigid inflatable boat, radio communication centers and other equipment purchased within the framework of the project. The technical capacity of the boats was also demonstrated to the guests.

 Background information:

The international technical assistance project “Strengthening surveillance and bilateral coordination capacity along the common border between Belarus and Ukraine, SURCAP Phase II” has been implementing from April 2014 and includes the following:

  • during 2015-2016 purchase of the equipment and its handover to the SBC and State Border Service of Ukraine (SBSU). The equipment that includes all-terrain cars, motorcycles, boats, radio communication centers and other items will serve for enhancement of the Belarus-Ukraine border control;
  • organization of Belarusian-Ukrainian joint study trips to EU countries and educational seminars on different aspects of the integrated border management and potential use of best practices of European border guard officers in the activities of Belarusian and Ukrainian border services;
  • establishment of the pilot Common Contact Point “Pinsk-Zhitomir”;
  • list of the equipment purchased within the project for the SBC for Belarus-Ukraine border control enhancement:
    -Patrol boat “Patrol 920M” – 2 items
    -Rigid inflatable boat “Technoplast” – 6 items
    -Swamp vehicle “Rosa 21” – 1 item
    -Integrated security system (ISS) equipment “Voron-2М-С” – 1 set
    -Motorcycle “Minsk С4 125” – 11 items
    -Quadro-cycle “Stels ATV600Y” – 11 items
    -Radio communication center “Motorola” – 10 sets
    -Antenna mast “Zvezda-2” – 6 items
    -All-terrain vehicle “VW Amarok” – 9 items
    -Portable sensors “Radiobarrier ” – 11 sets
    -LED spotlight “EagleTac T200C2 Kit NW” – 200 items
    -The total amount spent on the equipment – 2 million Euro.

The total budget of the project is 5 350 000 Euro for two countries in equal proportions. The project was co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Romania, the International Organization for Migration, border services of Belarus and Ukraine.
The total budget of all EU-funded projects being implemented by IOM is about 10 million Euro.

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