A delegation of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement Affairs, together with representatives of the EU Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM), visited the Regional Department of the Marine Guard of the State Border Service in Odessa as part of a wor

A delegation of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement Affairs, together with representatives of the EU Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM), visited the Regional Department of the Marine Guard of the State Border Service in Odessa as part of a working visit.

People’s deputies and representatives of the EUAM discussed with the first deputy chairman of the border guard agency Volodymyr Nikiforenko and the head of the Marine Guard Oleh Kostur the situation in the southern border area.

The issues concerned combating smuggling, illegal migration and illegal movement of narcotic substances, weapons and ammunition, including by sea.

During the visit, the ability of the Maritime Guard units to ensure the safety of civil navigation in the territorial sea of Ukraine, the protection of state interests in its exclusive (maritime) economic zone was analyzed.

People’s deputies also have listened to the assessment of border guards on the implementation of the legislation on the adjacent zone. Their introduction took place with the creation of the Regional Office of Maritime Protection, with the support of the initiative group of people’s deputies, and made it possible to significantly increase control over the prevention of illegal activities and to stop illegal schemes on the maritime section of the border.

The guests appreciated the achievements and efforts of the State Border Guard Service on the way of reforming and developing of the Marine Guard. The introduction of modern practices and the equipping of units with the support of international technical assistance projects were noted. Also the perspective of renewal of the ship and boat fleet within the framework of the Ukrainian-French project with the company OCEA was emphasized.

During the sea patrol of the Maritime Guard cutter, the deputies and experts of the EU Advisory Mission could see the practical actions of the tactical group of small high-speed maneuvering cutters to control the coastal water area with the use of the Special Action Division.