Letter. Integrated Border management. 3rd Quarterly Newsletter Project news and activities. - Country Profile: Azerbaijan

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1 News Letter Integrated Border management Dear Reader, In this issue: - Project news and activities - Country Profile: Azerbaijan - Interview with Borut Eržen - News from around the border world Welcome to the latest edition of Integrated Border Management, a Frontex publication that provides information on the Eastern Partnership Integrated Border Management (EaP-IBM) Capacity Building Project. There have been two major recent developments both for Frontex and for the project. First, at the beginning of October, Frontex became the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, receiving a new mandate and significantly expanding its role and activities. The Agency s permanent staff will be more than doubled; it will also be able to purchase its own equipment and deploy it for border operations at short notice. Meanwhile, a mid-term evaluation of the EaP-IBM Project was conducted in September and October to assess whether it was meeting goals and to assess its effectiveness. An expert visited all six participating countries to meet with Border Guard and customs authorities. The preliminary results, presented on 6 October, were very positive. This quarter we also report on a range of training events and study tours, including a visit to Poland by officials from the Georgian Revenue Service, who got a firsthand look at procedures in the country s Baltic Sea ports and on its border with Russia s Kaliningrad exclave. Other events were held in Tallinn, Estonia and Chisinau, Moldova. The EaP-IBM Project is a European Union-funded endeavour that supports the implementation of IBM across borders six EaP countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. With a focus on training initiatives, the project is being implemented by Frontex from , in cooperation with the World Customs Organisation, the International Organisation for Migration and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development. We also provide a look ahead at events scheduled for the fourth quarter, as well as highlights of news from around the border world. Enjoy! The Editors eapproject@frontex.europa.eu

2 Issue no. 6 The Project Partners: An Introduction Frontex The need to coordinate the border-management activities of an enlarged European Union was what led to the creation, in 2004, of Frontex the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union. Essentially, Frontex helps border authorities from different EU countries work together. It is tasked with reinforcing and streamlining cooperation between national border authorities. The new Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard entered into force on 6 October As a result, the agency is now called Frontex - European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The World Customs Organization (WCO) The World Customs Organization (WCO), established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council, is an independent inter-governmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations. Its headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium. Today, the WCO represents 180 customs administrations across the globe that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. The International Organization for Migration Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organisation in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. With 157 member states, a further 10 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM OIM The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), established in 1993 by Austria and Switzerland, is an international organisation headquartered in Vienna working in migration-related fields. Specifically, ICMPD works in the fields of irregular migration and return, trafficking in human beings, border management and visa, asylum, migration and development, and legal migration and integration. 2 eapproject@frontex.europa.eu

3 Project News EVALUATION OF EASTERN PARTNERSHIP IBM CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT A mid-term evaluation of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Integrated Border Management Capacity Building Project was conducted in September and October. Its aim was to assess whether the project was implementing its outputs as set out in the Grant Agreement, and to review the effectiveness of its strategies and main activities in the beneficiary countries. The review should also help improve the programme for current and future activities. An Estonian expert was contracted to carry out the evaluation in six EaP countries. The expert visited project beneficiary institutions the national contact points from Border Guard and customs authorities in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as project partners, European Union delegations in EaP countries and the European Union Border Assistance to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM). The preliminary results of the evaluation were very positive, and were presented during a meeting with the Frontex EaP Project Team in Warsaw on 6 October. More details on the evaluation will be available soon, when the final report is released. WorKshoP on COMMON TRANSIT CONVENTION (CTC) HELD IN MOLDOVA Representatives of customs authorities from four Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine attended a two-day workshop on the Common Transit Convention (CTC) and the implementation of the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS). The training took place in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau on September 14-15, and was organised by Frontex in cooperation with the European Commission s Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD). The common transit procedure is used for the movement of goods between European Union Member States, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia. The Convention on a common transit procedure was amended on 28 April 2016 to align it with the Union Customs Code. During the training, participants received information about transit procedures and basic rules for access to the Convention, and discussed recent amendments to the regulations. Moreover, Customs experts from Serbia and FYR of Macedonia talked about the experience of their Balkan countries in the process of preparation for joining the Convention and implementation of the NCTS. During the workshops, delegations from each of the four participating EaP countries made presentations on their states progress in preparing the NCTS, discussing the main objectives, actions, planning and problems they have identified. eapproject@frontex.europa.eu 3

4 Issue no. 6 Project News GEORGIA REVENUE SERVICE OFFICIALS VISIT POLAND Representatives of the Georgia Revenue Service (GRS) paid a visit to Poland on 5-9 September to get acquainted with European Union customs procedures and best practices on X-ray scanning of consignments, and related training of staff. During their visit, the GRS officials visited the National X-Ray Inspection Centre in the Customs office in the Baltic port city of Gdynia. Its main tasks include managing and maintenance of X-ray equipment run by the Polish Customs Service. Polish experts provided information about the Centre s scope of responsibility and showed how the X-ray inspection system is organised in EU countries, based on the Polish example. The Georgian officials also received information on interpretation of X-ray images. Practical examples were presented and discussed. Georgian officials also visited the Border Crossing Point in Grzechotki, on the Polish-Russian frontier, to get acquainted with border and customs control procedures. Officers from the criminal division of the Customs office in Olsztyn made a presentation on the scope of their responsibilities and showed practical examples of major seizures of undeclared goods, including cigarettes and amber. During their visit to the Deep Water Container Terminal in Gdansk, the GRS officials learned about procedures related to scanning of containers. In the nearby Baltic Sea town of Jastrzębia Góra, the officials visited the X-ray Training Centre of the Polish Customs Service, where they had the chance to participate in a training session for operators of X-ray scanning machines. The second part of that day was devoted to a visit to the Baltic Container Terminal in Gdynia and the related scanner site. The participants learned about the X-ray equipment used in the port and received information on major seizures of cigarettes and drugs by the Polish Customs Service. Upcoming project activities: OCTOBER: -Risk analysis visit by Frontex experts to Minsk, Belarus -Study visit to Lisbon and Elvas, Portugal -Regional training on concepts, structure and tools for risk analysis and regional training on analysis techniques, Warsaw, Poland -National training on X-ray image interpretation, Baku, Azerbaijan NOVEMBER: -Coordination meeting of Project partners and Project contact points, Chisinau, Moldova -National training on Rules of Origin, Kyiv, Ukraine -Visit by Frontex risk analysis experts to Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia -Monitoring visit of implementation of Common Core Curriculum (CCC) for Border Guard basic training, Moldova and Ukraine DECEMBER: -International High Level Conference, Brussels, Belgium -Eastern European Borders Risk Analysis Network (EB-RAN) workshop, Warsaw, Poland -Customs Workshop on WCO Organizational Development Package (ODP), Chisinau, Moldova 4 eapproject@frontex.europa.eu

5 Project News REGIONAL TRAINING ON RISK ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES HELD IN WARSAW Border Guards from all six Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine attended training on risk analysis techniques at Frontex headquarters in Warsaw on 6-7 September. The training was conducted by two Frontex Risk Analysis experts. The participants got acquainted with the Common Integrated Risk Analysis Model (CIRAM) and the conceptual framework for the risk analysis process. The purpose of CIRAM is to establish a clear and transparent methodology for risk analysis, and boost harmonisation and the conditions for efficient information exchange and cooperation in the field of border security. The workshop was a continuation of the training on the concept, structure and tools for Risk Analysis held in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on April. Each theoretical part was followed by exercises where trainees learned how to put the techniques into practice. REGIONAL TRAINING ON CAPACITY BUILDING IN BORDER MANAGEMENT Fifteen representatives of Border Guard training institutions from five Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine attended workshops on Capacity Building in Border Management in the Estonian capital of Tallinn. The course took place from 20 to 22 September and was organized by Frontex, in close cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Police and Border Guard College of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences. legal framework, training activities, international cooperation and Frontex s central role in its implementation. Theoretical parts of the training were combined with group work and interactive discussions. During the workshops, the participants also gained information on the e-learning system in Estonia and its main tools. During the three-day course, participants learned how to set up training infrastructure and workshops, as well as studied the training system for Border Guards in Estonia and the structure and management of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences. They visited a number of facilities on the campus, including the Service Dog Training Centre, indoor shooting range, sports hall, Border Crossing Point practical training hall and classrooms. International experts discussed developments in the European Union s Integrated Border Management (IBM) concept, providing information on its strategic components, eapproject@frontex.europa.eu 5

6 Issue no. 6 Interview with Borut Eržen, a Senior Programme Manager at the ICMPD Borut Eržen Could you describe your role in the ICMPD, and tell us something about your background? As Senior Programme Manager of the Competence Centre for Border Management and Visas at ICMPD headquarters in Vienna, I m responsible for supervising, coordinating and providing expert support to the Centre s integrated border management and border security projects and activities. For 24 years I worked for the Slovenian Police in various senior positions, and was seconded to international police missions to the Western Balkans.Since the very beginning I ve also been involved in developing the concept of Integrated Border Management (IBM) for EU external cooperation. Can you explain what the ICMPD is, what it does and what goals it seeks to achieve? The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is an international organisation, founded in 1993 at the initiative of Austria and Switzerland as a reaction to the Balkan conflicts, and in anticipation of possible migration flows after the fall of the Iron Curtain. At present the ICMPD has 15 Member states. Our staff is located in Vienna (at the Headquarters), at our mission in Brussels and in regional offices and representatives throughout Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Northern Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Today, the ICMPD is a European organisation that deals with the global phenomenon of migration. The Centre s geographic priorities are set in accordance with the strategic and operational objectives of its Member States and partners. The purpose of the ICMPD is to promote innovative, comprehensive and sustainable migration policies, and to function as a service exchange mechanism for governments and organizations. The Centre analyses current and potential migratory flows to European receiving countries, monitors the situation in the major countries of origin of migrants and develops measures for the improved recognition and control of migratory movements. With a three-pillar approach, consisting of research, migration dialogues and capacity building, the ICMPD has wide experience in bridging the gap between theory and practice, giving experts and policy makers the opportunity to engage in open dialogue. Are there any issues that are particularly important in EaP countries in the context of IBM and migration? The EU concept of IBM foresees strong and close cooperation and coordination of all agencies involved in border management. Here we need to think outside the box, and extend our activities beyond the traditional understanding that only border guards, and to some extent customs, are the key agencies for border management. EaP border agencies need to improve cooperation, in particular in terms of information exchange and closer cooperation at border crossing points, including airports. There are already some achievements in this regard; however, border agencies need more peer-to-peer support in form of technical assistance, rather than endless trainings and workshops. This is the only way to ensure sustainability and make sure that the principle of local ownership works. Why has the ICMPD engaged in the Eastern Partnership Integrated Border Management (IBM) Capacity Building Project, and how can your expertise help improve IBM in those countries? The ICMPD conceptualised and developed the IBM concept for EU external cooperation. The organisation possesses extensive capacity-building experience on IBM topics. To date we have been involved in implementation of a number of initiatives, including regional, sub-regional and multilateral capacity-building projects in the EaP region. In the EaP area, the ICMPD, along with EU Member States, has implemented two regional projects focused on IBM and migration: the Eastern Partnership cooperation in the fight against irregular migration, supporting the implementation of the Prague Process Action Plan, and a second project titled Eastern Partnership - Integrated Border Management Flagship Initiative Training Project. The latter was a kind of predecessor to the current EaP IBM Capacity Building project, and built a strong basis for all current and future IBM projects. Finally, the ICMPD and Frontex formally established a partnership in 2009, and cooperation on capacity-building is one of the areas of mutual interest. What are the biggest challenges for EaP countries in implementing IBM in relation to migration policies and strategies? EaP countries and their border agencies are facing the same challenges as EU member states were before the EU IBM concept was adopted in An absence of strategic planning, lack of information exchange due to weak intra-agency and inter-agency cooperation, and insufficiently developed and implemented training and education processes are the key points where modern border management can fail. A lack of up-to-date equipment and infrastructure, and failure to harmonise procedures with neighbouring border agencies (international and bilateral cooperation), are the main negative factors. Corruption is still a big concern, and present at all levels. The effort to counter corruption often lacks the proper legal framework and operational measures. Properly developed IBM concepts can definitely contribute to the control of irregular migration, and as such could be complementary to migration policies and strategies, rather than just isolated security activity on the borders. How can the ICMPD contribute to the improvement of Integrated Border Management in Eastern Partnership Countries? By building on our extensive expertise in implementation of capacity-building projects, our established bilateral contacts with EaP beneficiaries and our experience in facilitating transfer of EU best practices into the EaP region s realities, the ICMPD is a strong partner in the implementation of the project. Our extensive global experience on IBM and issues related to border security adds value to all initiatives that seek to improve IBM in the EaP region. Our internal and external experts have been following the evolution of IBM within the EU and other regions ever since the concept was introduced. They have been involved in a number of tailor-made national policies and strategies, as well as in assisting in developing national IBM action plans. Thus, they are quite well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of modern border management, including awareness of the shortcomings of existing national IBM systems. These are all lessons that ICMPD experts are ready to share with their colleagues in the EaP region. 6 eapproject@frontex.europa.eu

7 Integrated Border Management in the Eastern Partnership Region: Azerbaijan s Experience Capital: Baku Population: 9,624,900 Area: 86,600 square km Borders with: Iran, Russia, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia EU relations: The EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) entered into force in Since 2009, the EU and Azerbaijan have been negotiating an Association Agreement to succeed the PCA. A visa facilitation and readmission agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan came into force in September The Republic of Azerbaijan is located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, in the eastern part of the South Caucasus region. It serves as a transit hub for Euro-Asian intercontinental transport. Azerbaijan shares land borders with Russia in the north, Georgia in the north and north-west, Armenia in the west, Turkey in the south-west and Iran in the south. Azerbaijan shares maritime borders on the Caspian Sea with Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia have signed an agreement on the division of Caspian seabed, while negotiations are underway among the five littoral countries on defining the legal status of the Caspian Sea. Within the framework of defining Azerbaijan s north and north-west borders, the delimitation of the Azerbaijan-Russian border has been completed, and demarcation has started. At present, an intergovernmental commission is working on delimitation of the border with Georgia, with 65% agreed so far. The Republic of Azerbaijan s State Border Service (SBS), responsible for border security, was created in 2002 as an independent agency, and reports directly to the president of the country. Its primary functions are ensuring the protection and inviolability of state borders; combatting international terrorism, illegal migration, contraband (including illegal trafficking of drugs and weapons) and circulation of WMDs and their components; and protecting oil and gas deposits and infrastructure in Azerbaijan s sector of the Caspian Sea. The SBS carries out its mission through units including an aviation detachment and the Coast Guard. Jointly with the State Customs Committee, the SBS provides control of persons, vehicles and cargoes at border checkpoints. A single window system has been introduced at all checkpoints since 2008, and an e-declaration system is operating. Border security in Azerbaijan has been listed as a priority, and separately stipulated in the National Security Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Significant progress has been made as a result of activities to enhance border protection, and to improve and modernise technical equipment. Since 2006, the State Border Service has played an active role in the implementation of several EU-funded projects aimed at establishing IBM at the national and regional level. Special attention was paid to elements of IBM including intraservice, inter-agency and international cooperation within the framework of implemented projects. eapproject@frontex.europa.eu 7

8 Issue no. 6 NEWS FROM AROUND THE BORDER WORLD Frontex Frontex was transformed into the European Border and Coast Guard Agency at the beginning of October, giving it a new mandate and significantly expanding its role and activities. The Agency s permanent staff will be more than doubled; it will also be able to purchase its own equipment and deploy it for border operations at short notice. A rapid reserve pool of at least 1,500 border guards and a technical equipment pool will be put at the Agency s disposal, in an effort to ensure there are no further shortages of staff or equipment for Agency operations. The European Border and Coast Guard will ensure the implementation of Union standards of border management through periodic risk analysis and mandatory vulnerability assessments. The reform of Frontex was prompted by the new challenges and political realities faced by the EU in the areas of migration and internal security. Eastern Partnership In the first half of 2016, 1,714 cases of illegal border crossing outside regular crossing-points were reported by Eastern Partnership Risk Analysis Network member countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). More than half of these cases involved nationals of Eastern Partnership and Community of Independent States countries, primarily Ukrainians, Russians and Moldovans. Among these, more than four in five cases were linked to suspected smuggling of illicit goods, or other forms of crime not related to migration. The figures were provided by the Eastern Partnership Risk Analysis Network (EaP- RAN) Quarterly. The network changed its name from the Eastern Borders Risk Analysis Network in January 2016, with the inclusion of three new members: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. France/UK French President François Hollande pledged in September to shut down the Calais migrant camp known as The Jungle by the end of the year. France and the UK have already begun construction of a wall along the approach road to the Calais port, in an attempt to stop migrants who attempt to board Britain-bound trucks there. Estimates of the camp population range as high as 9,000. Italy Almost 10,000 migrants were rescued off the coast of Italy over just two days, Aug , the Italian coast guard said. In the previous week, the International Organisation for Migration had put the number of migrants arriving in Italy by boat since January at 105,000. Serbia More than 103,500 migrants passed through Serbia from the beginning of the year through mid-august, Labour and Social Affairs Minister Aleksandar Vulin said. He added that 5,000 people had been turned back, and more than 7,300 had filed requests for asylum in the country. Asylum Austria, Sweden and Denmark in late August announced plans to tighten rules on asylum. Austria will be able to make decisions on asylum seekers at its borders within one hour. Denmark s government proposed a law allowing police to turn back asylum seekers during times of crisis, while Sweden said it would cut grants to local authorities to house unaccompanied minor asylum seekers. Mediterranean/ Libya Operation Sophia of European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med) was authorised Aug. 30 to begin a new mission: training the Libyan coastguard and navy to help it in the fight against smuggling and trafficking, and increase search and rescue capacity. Bulgaria Bulgaria at the end of August announced plans to tighten regulations at migrant centres, possibly restricting movement into and out of the camps. The Harmanli centre imposed a curfew after a brawl that injured three people; that centre is also scheduled to be expanded to house 300 more people. Articles taken from open sources PROJECT FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION 8 eapproject@frontex.europa.eu