19 May 2009

EU, US, and IOM Help State Border Guard Sevice Become EU Compliant

On May 22, 2009, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) of Ukraine in partnership with the European Union (EU), the U.S. Department of State, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Ukraine will hold the Second International Border Management Legal Reform Conference to solicit the support of Government of Ukraine bodies and Parliament in the strengthening of Ukraine’s border management legislation.  Deputy Chairman of the SBGS Oleksandr Melnykov and Head of the International Cooperation Department of the SBGS Administration Anatoliy Zarytskiy will jointly moderate the event.  Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine Head of Operations Laura Garagnani, the U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission James Pettit, International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ukraine Senior Programme Coordinator Daiva Vilkelyte, and officials from the EU Troika will give keynote opening remarks.   The conference will take a two-pronged approach, presenting the reforms of the SBGS in border management, particularly relevant Ukrainian legislation on the national border, the legal status of foreigners, upholding human rights, and career development within the Service, whilst drawing heavily on EU expertise and experience to proffer specific recommendations and guidance for the practical application and implementation of further modernization efforts.  For a printable press release, please click here.