Mission to the South: Head of Mission met with partners in Odesa
August 30, 2024
This week, Rolf Holmboe, Head of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine, visited Odesa to meet with local civilian security sector authorities together with the Mission’s Odesa Field Office. The purpose was to further strengthen cooperation and EUAM support to the southern regions of Ukraine.
Meeting Our Long-Standing Partner – the Patrol Police
During his meeting with Ruslan Ruban, Head of the Patrol Police Directorate in the Odesa Region, Rolf Holmboe praised the vital role of the Patrol Police both in maintaining public safety and trust and in conducting war-related support in the liberated areas despite the immense challenges posed by Russia’s continuous attacks unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine.
Mr. Holmboe provided an overview of EUAM’s new mandate, strengthened in June by decision of the EU Council of Ministers, which includes expanded activities in southern Ukraine encompassing the Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions. The discussions underscored the importance of continuing and enhancing the partnership between EUAM and the Patrol Police, particularly through joint training programs and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving officers’ skills among others in effective communication, conflict management, and human rights awareness.
“EUAM Ukraine and the Patrol Police have had a strong partnership for years, and we’re fully committed to continuing our cooperation. Our goal is to support patrol officers with the skills and resources they need to serve the Ukrainian people with confidence, trust, and honour, especially during wartime,” said Rolf Holmboe.
Supporting Cross-Border Coordination
In a meeting with Yurii Cherdintsev, Head of Odesa Customs House, Rolf Holmboe acknowledged the critical role that Odesa Customs plays in ensuring the smooth flow of export goods, which is essential for maintaining trade and supporting Ukraine’s economy, particularly in view of the serious challenges of wartime logistics.
The EUAM Head emphasised the importance of continued and enhanced cooperation between EUAM and Odesa Customs House, particularly in countering cross-border customs offences, increasing the use of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS), and improving the implementation of the EU-UA Solidarity Lanes through the Reni-Giurgiulesti-Galati corridor. He also discussed the Mission’s plans to support the establishment of a Joint Maritime Coordination Centre, aimed at enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness and inter-agency coordination in the region.
“Through continued cooperation and targeted support, the Mission aims to empower our partners to tackle the challenges they face during these critical times. Another big challenge in the coming years is to advance as rapidly as possible the necessary reforms in Ukraine’s civilian security sector to meet the requirements for EU membership,” concluded Rolf Holmboe, Head of EUAM Ukraine.
