| 21 October 2009 EUBAM welcomed participants of the first meeting of the Eastern Partnership on Integrated Border Management, taking place in Odesa on 15-16 October. Border experts from the EU and from the countries taking part in the Eastern Partnership initiative explored the experience of EUBAM in promoting integrated border management (IBM) in Moldova and Ukraine. The Head of Mission Mr Ferenc Banfi presented practical examples in how the Mission is working together with the Moldovan and Ukrainian partners in the implementation of a number of IBM elements including joint border control operations, production of common border security assessments, joint public information activities, and exchange of customs pre-arrival information. Afterwards, the participants visited EUBAM Field Office Kuchurhan to observe the activities of the Mission and its partners at the border. The model of IMB was endorsed by the European Council in 2006, which was further developed and enhanced in the following year. The agreed model is based on intra-service; inter-agency; and international cooperation coupled with coordination of management systems.
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