The Chairman of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Serhii Deineko has met today with the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria and the Austrian Embassy in Ukraine.

A delegation of the European partners headed by Federal Minister of European, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg visited the Separate Commandant's Office of protection and support of the State Border Service in Kiev. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of the Internal Affairs of Ukraine Mary Akopian.

During the visit, the Austrian partners handed over aid from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Austria to the Border Agency of Ukraine.

“I am grateful for many years assistance to the territorial integrity of Ukraine, independence and support for our Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Strong and powerful Ukraine is the key to security on the Eastern borders of the EU. And your support is extremely important for us,” said Serhii Deineko.

At the same time, Federal Minister of European, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg thanked for the work done and noted: “Security in Ukraine is also security at our borders.”

Deputy Minister of the Internal Affairs of Ukraine Mary Akopian assured the participants of the meeting that even a small assistance or great support is not as important as the manifestation of friendship and partnership is important. “We are very grateful for the support of your government at a time of such a great pressure on Ukraine and the present hybrid threats,” she said.

In general, the border guards of Ukraine were given assistance worth almost 80 thousand euros, including sleeping bags, water tanks, diesel generators, mattresses.

It should be noted that cooperation between the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Federal Ministry of the Internal Affairs of the Republic of Austria has been lasting for many years and will continue in the future.

In particular, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine considers its readiness to stir up cooperation with the Republic of Austria and the possibility of bilateral cooperation in countering cross-border crime and terrorism, risk analysis, exchange of information and analytical materials and statistical data, and conducting joint research.

The parties also see prospects in cooperation concerning the use of modern technologies, such as the Automated Passport Control System E-Gates, the APIS passenger pre-registration system and others.