According to the Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, cooperation with the Turkish Coast Guard has been and remains strategically important.

According to the Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, cooperation with the Turkish Coast Guard has been and remains strategically important.

During a meeting with the Commander of the Turkish Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ahmet Kendir, Serhii Deineko noted that the situation with the spread of coronavirus prevented this meeting last year, as well as the implementation of a number of bilateral cooperation measures, so the Ukrainian border guard agency welcomes resumption of cooperation in the interests of Ukraine and Turkey.

During the meeting were discussed urgent issues of threats and challenges to maritime security in the Black Sea region, the situation on the maritime borders of the countries, as well as further prospects for cooperation between the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Coast Guard of Turkey.

“Improving cooperation plays an important role in counteracting modern threats and challenges to border security in the maritime area. Today's meeting is a continuation of the traditionally constructive cooperation of our departments and countries in general,” Serhii Deineko said.

He added that evidence of this is the recent visit of the President of Ukraine to the Republic of Turkey, as well as the signing of a number of bilateral agreements on expanding cooperation in various fields.

“I hope that Ukraine and Turkey will continue to develop cooperation and strengthen partnership and friendly relations,” he said.

At the same time, Ahmet Kendir noted that Turkey and Ukraine are not only countries bordering the Black Sea, but also countries with a history of developing relations.

“Our cooperation makes an important contribution to the stability of the region. Relations between our countries are deepening thanks to the cooperation of our Presidents. I am convinced that our relations between the services will only deepen,” he said.

“Turkey's Coast Guard attaches great importance to relations with the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. I am convinced that it will be useful for countries and services if we continue our cooperation on various international platforms,” he added.

During the conversation, Serhii Deineko noted that the reform of the Marine Guard of the State Border Guard Service is taking place by improving the infrastructure and gradually updating the ship and boat composition. In addition, border patrol aircraft are actively involved in monitoring the situation and the unmanned component is being increased.

“We are increasing the system of control over the surface situation and modernizing the posts of technical monitoring. With the support of American partners, the DOZOR special-purpose unit and special operations units on the water are being developed. These units are now being actively used to combat criminal groups on the entire section of the state border,” Serhii Deineko said.

After analysing the state of cooperation between the Maritime Guard of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Coast Guard of the Republic of Turkey, the Parties agreed to coordinate service in their maritime areas of the Black Sea, conduct joint search and rescue exercises and resume friendly ship visits. Emphasis was placed on the exchange of information and the establishment of a coordination group to address issues arising in the Black Sea, in order to monitor the situation and respond quickly to its changes.

Also, during the meeting, the Commander of the Turkish Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Ahmet Kendir, together with Serhii Deineko visited the monument to the Defenders of the Borders of the Motherland of All Generations and the Memorial Complex “Hall of Remembrance”.