Recently, the expert group of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine held a foundational meeting with representatives of Frontex to align on key tasks at all stages towards a common goal.

As part of strengthening Ukraine's borders with the European Union and enhancing the efficiency of border control, several important initiatives and strategies were discussed.

First and foremost, a crucial initiative has been the execution of preparatory actions aimed at the future signing of the Status Agreement of Frontex representatives in Ukraine and the deployment of the Frontex Standing Corps on the Ukrainian border with EU countries. It's important to highlight that this preparation is not considered official negotiations but is necessary groundwork that lays the foundation for the next stage of the future agreement.

The parties discussed the issue of an exploratory visit by the Frontex expert delegation to the section of the Ukraine-EU border, which would allow for a deeper understanding of the specific tasks and challenges faced by the Ukrainian border service.

A key element in enhancing the efficiency of Integrated Border Management (IBM) processes is the functioning of the IBM Coordination Center. Discussions covered both the current activities of the center and plans for the future.

The IBM Strategy for 2023-2025 was thoroughly analyzed, with an emphasis on the importance of its implementation for increasing border security and the efficiency of border control. The significance of training experts from integrated border management entities, as well as involving Frontex experts in the temporary working group on quality assessment of IBM task execution, was underscored.

Special attention was given to the continuation of cooperation within technical assistance projects aimed at strengthening the capacity of Ukraine's border agency. This includes not only the provision of equipment and technical means but also the exchange of knowledge and best practices in the field of border unit activities.

Thanks to active dialogue and cooperation between Ukraine and Frontex, a significant increase in border security level, as well as efficiency in managing migration processes and combating cross-border crime, is expected.