On February 21 Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Serhii Deineko met with Mark Eterington, Deputy Head of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

During the talks the parties discussed cooperation issues, expanding the network of contact points on the state border of Ukraine and discussed the situation in the area of ​​demarcation line of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and regaining control over the temporarily occupied territories.

«With the beginning of Russian aggression, we are rebuilding our capabilities as a military formation, and now border guards are not only protecting but also defending the state border. Based on this specificity, the work in the SBGSU is carried out in two directions - development of a system of special units «DOSOR» and rapid response units, i.e. combat reserves. Their main task is to respond promptly during the implementation of border protection tasks, incl. on the water. It is worth noting that the «DOSOR» training was carried out under the BORTAC Border Patrol program and the United States Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Also, within the framework of the NATO Partnership Objective by the end of 2020 it is planned to increase up to eight Border Guard Rapid Response Commandant’s Offices. In this context, preparation for action, in particular in the format of exercises, including training, is very important, including joint trainings», - stated the Head of the State Border Guard Service, Serhiii Deineko.

Mr. Eterington in his turn said: «Citizens' security and peace-building are the main tasks of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine». At the end of the meeting, the partners concluded that cooperation between Ukraine and the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine was at a high level, and the parties agreed on further expansion of cooperation.

Serhii Deineko also emphasized that the State Border Guard Service highly appreciates the assistance provided by international partners: «We are trying to do our best to strengthen and develop cooperation with the international institutions of NATO, IOM, OSCE and other security structures. The SBGSU is strongly committed to Euro-Atlantic integration and upholding democratic values. We share the principles of regional collective security and its main features - trust, mutual respect and constructive cooperation», emphasized the Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.