Moldova/Ukraine: EU beefs up its EUBAM mission

More than 100 EU border management experts are now helping their Moldovan and Ukrainian counterparts eradicate smuggling along the border with Transnistria, a 500 kilometre strip of Moldovan territory running along the Ukrainian border, which is a self-proclaimed republic not recognized by the international community. When Romania joins the EU, this territory, seen as a haven for traffickers, will be right on the EU's doorstep. This is why the EU is so keen on normalizing the situation here, first by drying up the sources of illegal revenues for Transnistria, arising from border smuggling. This is precisely the mission of EUBAM - the EU Border Assistance Mission to Ukraine and Moldova. They are here to help Ukrainians and Moldavians upgrade their border management, according to EU standards.