| 21 December 2009 The head of the EU Border Assistance Mission for Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), Major General Dr. Ferenc Banfi, received the Odesa city exemplary service award from Mayor Gurvits. At a ceremony held in the City Council this morning, Mayor Gurvits thanked Dr. Banfi for his outstanding service to Odesa, particularly in supporting security on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border. Dr. Banfi has led EUBAM since its establishment in December 2005. He will relinquish his post on December 31 2009. Mayor Gurvits wished Dr. Banfi every success in his new position as Director of the European Police College (CEPOL) in the United Kingdom, which he will take up on 1 February 2010. For his part Dr. Banfi expressed his deep gratitude to Mayor Gurvits and the people of Odesa for such an honour and his sincere appreciation for the warm hospitality offered to him by the people of Odesa during his four years at EUBAM. EUBAM will continue to support the delivery of good quality border and customs services to the citizens and companies of Moldova, Ukraine and the European Union.
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