The European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) works in the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to:

-Promote European Union border management standards and procedures for a quicker crossing of people and goods;

-Enhance the professional capacities of the Moldovan and Ukrainian Customs and Border Authorities;

-Assist Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities in combating cross-border crime more efficiently;

-Act as a catalyst and bring together key stakeholders to strengthen cross-border cooperation between the border authorities and law enforcement agencies;

-Contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.

EUBAM was launched in 2005. The legal basis for EUBAM is the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the European Commission and the Governments of Moldova and Ukraine on 7 October 2005. It is funded by the European Union within the context of the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument, and with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) acting as implementing partner. The current Mission’s mandate is valid until 30 November 2025.

The EUBAM Mandate allows the Mission to:

• be present and observe customs clearance and border guard checks
• as part of its advisory role, to examine border control documents and records (including computerised data)
• provide assistance in preventing smuggling of persons and goods
• request the re-examination and re-assessment of any consignment of goods already processed
• make unannounced visits to any locations on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, including border units, customs posts, offices of transit, inland police stations, revenue accounting offices and along transit routes
• move freely within the territories of Moldova and Ukraine
• cross the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border with only strictly necessary control and without any delay
• use all roads and bridges without payment of taxes and dues
• have access to appropriate telecommunications equipment
• import and export goods which are for official use of the Mission

The Mission is headquartered in Odesa, Ukraine and in addition, has two country offices (Chisinau, Moldova and Odesa, Ukraine) and key working locations on the border. Altogether there are over 80 people working with the Mission, with experts from 9 different member states.

Slawomir Pichor

Over the course of his professional career, General Slawomir Pichor has served in border management and customs agencies. He was a part of EUBAM’s senior management team twice in the past. First, as the Deputy Head of Mission from 2010 to 2013 and second, as the Head of EUBAM Office in Moldova from 2016 to 2017.

In Poland, his native country, General Pichor served in the Customs Service where he held several executive positions. He was a Regional Director from 2002 to 2007 and the Deputy Director General of the Polish Customs Service from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2014 to 2015. In his capacity, as the Deputy Director General, he coordinated border-related strategic modernization programmes and was responsible for day-to-day border management and combating cross-border crime at the EU external land border.

He closely cooperated with the European Commission services and EU Member states on improving the operational cooperation and performance at the EU external border.

He speaks English and Russian.