The regional office of the EU Advisory Mission has started to work in Mariupol today. Its goal is to help create an effective and transparent civil security sector that meets the trust of citizens. The event was attended by Mayor Vadym Boichenko and the head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko. The head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishina and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Tatiana Kovalchuk became guests of honor in Mariupol.
“The opening of a representative office is a very strong indicator of Europe's trust in Ukraine and Mariupol, in particular. Today, the Mission is ready for even more ambitious projects in cooperation with law enforcement agencies, the National Police, the Migration Service and the Border Guard Service of Ukraine. This will be the beginning of trusting cooperation with representatives of the EU authorities and, most importantly, with international investors”, Olga Stefanishina said.
20 specialists from 10 countries of the world will work in the regional office of EUAM: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Ukraine. Experts will assist local EUAM partners to build institutional capacity. For this, strategic consultations, trainings, and technical support will be provided.
“For five years, we, together with law enforcement agencies, have brought the security system of Mariupol to a new level. Now we say that the crime rate has dropped three times. Mariupol is one of the ten safest cities in Ukraine. This office will become the basis for consulting our community on security issues, giving new meanings and taking them to an even higher level. This will provide a basis for new investments and opportunities”,
- Vadym Boichenko stressed.
The European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) to Ukraine officially began work in Kiev on December 1, 2014 after the Revolution of Dignity and receiving an invitation from the Ukrainian government. The Mission has no executive powers. The Mission provides support to Ukrainian government agencies in consistent reform of the civil security sector through strategic advice and practical support. In the meantime, there is no need to know about it.
“Mariupol is of great regional importance and is important for the European Union. This is why the EU is expanding its activities and opening an Advisory Mission office in the city. This fact underlines the importance of the EU's work in Mariupol’, Matti Maasikas said.
On the occasion of the opening, a small area of the international organization and the Ukrainian partners of the Mission was located on the Theater Square. Mariupol residents could personally communicate with European law enforcement officers. In addition, an informative lecture by the patrol police for children about safe behavior on the road was held. Law enforcement officers and border guards of the Donetsk region presented the work of the canine service and demonstrated performances of service dogs. Students of the Donetsk Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs prepared a performance of the standard bearers, a flash mob and a dance performance.
“Today's event is very important for Ukraine. At the center of the law enforcement system should be a person with his own needs and rights. Working with the Mission will help build an effective system that is more human-friendly, which will inspire even more confidence in people”, Tatiana Kovalchuk emphasized.
In turn, Pavlo Kyrylenko said that the opening of a representative office is important for the Donetsk region: “One of the priorities of our work is the safety of people. But it can only be achieved through cooperation between law enforcement agencies and international partners. The opening of the office is the next, confident step towards ensuring security in Donbas”.
The head of the mission in Ukraine Antti Hartikainen noted that the office will provide advice and practical support, and share the best European practices. In the meantime, there is no need to know about it”.
