Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia

Liaison Officer of the State Border Guard of Latvia together with a document expert organized trainings for passenger carriers

Liaison Officer of the State Border Guard of Latvia Colonel Raimonds Deičmanis in the framework of the Project No HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2022„Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" organized meetings - trainings in Russia for the representatives of passenger carriers.

On 26 and 27 of July in the premises of the Latvian Embassy to Russian Federation and in the Sheremetyevo international airport in Moscow were organized trainings for the representatives of "Russian Railways", "Latvian Railway (Latvijas Dzelzceļs)" and air carrier „AIR BALTIC". Whereas on 4 and 5 of August in Saint Petersburg similar trainings were organized in Latvian Consulate-General to Russia and in the Pulkovo international airport, these trainings were attended by air carrier „AIR BALTIC" and bus carrier "ECOLINES" representatives as well as officials of the Latvian Consulate-General to Russia.

During the meetings officials of the State Border Guard presented following information: travel documents and their validity, the possibility to check travel documents of persons who cross EU border, tendencies of using of false travel documents, use of other person's travel documents, description of false travel documents and recognition of falsed travel documents.

The project is coo financed by the European Union

This publication was created with the support of the European External Borders Fund.

The State Border Guard shall be liable for the content of the publication

Contact person: Pāvels Šarigins

E-mail: pavels.sarigins@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075632

Date of publication: 20.09.2016.

Participation of the Immigration Liaison officer in Russia in international meeting in October - November

On 29 of October 2015 Liaison Officer participated in the X meeting of the Joint Latvian-Russian Working Group on the Issues of Fight Against Illegal Migration.

In the agenda of the meeting were included and discussed following questions:

1. Exchange of information about the fight against illegal migration in 2015.

2. Issues and problems on implementation practices of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on readmission 25/05/2006 and executive Protocol between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation on the implementation of the Agreement and the key issues which are related to accelerated readmission procedures.

3. Combating of criminal groups engaged in the illegal trafficking of migrants in transit via Russia to the EU countries.

4. Experience of the Russian Federation in admission, social support and integration of refugees.

On 16-17 of November 2015, in Saint Petersburg (Russia) Liaison officer participated in the Annual Strategic Meeting of the Baltic Sea Task Force on Organized Crime. Following questions were included in the agenda of the meeting: countering illegal drug trafficking in the Baltic Sea region; Prevention of organization of illegal migration in the Baltic Sea region, as well as fight against extremism, terrorism and radicalization.

On 10-12 of November 2015 Liaison Officer participated in the Reporting meeting of the Liaison officer of the State Border Guard of Latvia in Georgia; on 23-25 of November 2015 Liaison Officer participated in the Reporting meeting of the Liaison officer of the State Border Guard of Latvia in Republic of Belarus and starting from 30 of November till 2 of December took part in the Reporting meeting of the Liaison officer of the Police and Border Guard Board of the Republic of Estonia. During mentioned above meetings Liaison officer presented information related to his activities in Russia, cooperation questions and other issues related to the fight against illegal migration.

The project is coo financed by the European Union

This publication was created with the support of the European External Borders Fund.

The State Border Guard shall be liable for the content of the publication

Contact person: Pāvels Šarigins

E-mail: pavels.sarigins@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075632

Date of publication: 01.12.2015.

Implementation of the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" on 19^th June, 2015

Participation of the Immigration Liaison officer in Russia in international meeting in May and June

On 22 of May 2015 Liaison Officer participated in the International Immigration Liaison Officers meeting, which was organized in the framework of Latvian Presidency in the Council of the European Union.

Representatives of the EC, Frontex, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Switzerland, Austria, France and Latvia participated in the meeting.

Representatives from the EU Member States - Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Austria and Latvia shared the experience on the issue of the liaison officer and the future development of the network of liaison officers.

EC representative provided information on the immigration liaison officer network. Latvian and Lithuanian representatives gave presentation related to preparing of report on liaison officer network activities and issues related to illegal migration in deployment country.

The liaison officer of State Border Guard presented the liaison officers network activities in the Russian Federation. The Estonian representative in his presentation provided general information about the activities of the Estonian liaison officer in Ukraine and Moldova, a key tasks, communication and cooperation with partners in Ukraine and Moldova, on the realization of measures within the framework of the project, as well as on individual cases when liaison officer to Ukraine gives support to the Embassy officials.

The representative of the FRONTEX informed about the last challenges on the EU's external borders:

Conversely on 3-4 of June off 2015 Liaison Officer participated in the Immigration Liaison Officers meeting, which was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to Turkey.

Meeting was organized in the framework of Latvian Presidency in the Council of the European Union.

The liaison officer of State Border Guard presented the liaison officers network activities in the Russian Federation and the report on the immigration liaison officers network operations and the situation in the host country in matters relating to illegal immigration for the first half-year of 2015.

Representatives of the NATO and Frontex gave presentation on their agencies, EUROPOL presented information on fight against illegal immigration.

Official of the Turkish Gendarmerie gave a presentation on fight against illegal migration in Turkey (01.01.2010.-20.05.2015.)

The project is coo financed by the European Union

This publication was created with the support of the European External Borders Fund.

The State Border Guard shall be liable for the content of the publication

Contact person: Pāvels Šarigins

E-mail: pavels.sarigins@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075632

Date of publication: 19.06.2015.

Implementation of the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" on 05^th May, 2015

Participation of the Immigration Liaison officer in Russia in international meeting in March and April

On 23-24 of March 2015 Liaison Officer participated in the meeting with representatives of the Russian Federal Migration Service and the Federal Security Service in Moscow.

In the framework of the meeting Russian officials informed about changes in the structure of the Russian Federal Migration Service and changes in the Russian legislation in the field of migration. Parties exchanged of views on the realization of readmission according to the accelerated procedure and on expulsion foreigners from Latvia via Sheremetyevo airport (Moscow) without escort.

On 30-31 of March 2015 in St. Petersburg Liaison Officer participated in the meeting of Heads of the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia and Border Guard Service of the Russian Federal Security. According to the agenda of the meeting, following questions were discussed:
- situation at the Latvian - Russian border in 2014-2015;
- improvement of cooperation in the field of combating cross border crime at Latvian - Russian border;
- bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

On the 20-22 of April Liaison Officer participated in the Activity report meeting of the Immigration Liaison Officer of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board of the Republic of Estonia in Ukraine and Moldova.

Estonian Immigration Liaison Officer was sent to Ukraine in September 2014 in accordance with project "Establishing the Immigration Liaison Officer Point of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Finland in Ukraine and Moldova, residing in Ukraine".

Reporting meeting held in the Estonian Embassy to Ukraine. Officials of the Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Finnish Border Guard Agencies and Embassies, representatives of the Ukrainian Border Guard and Ukrainian Migration Service attended the meeting.

During the meeting participants of the meeting were introduced to the activities of the Immigration Liaison Officer in Ukraine in 2014-2015, Liaison Officer in Russia presented results of the activities related to the fight against trans border crimes and other activities. Officials of the Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Finnish Border Guard Agencies gave presentations on the situation at the borders of Latvia, Estonia Finland and Lithuania and cooperation with Estonian Immigration Liaison Officer.

The project is coo financed by the European Union

This publication was created with the support of the European External Borders Fund.

The State Border Guard shall be liable for the content of the publication

Contact person: Pāvels Šarigins

E-mail: pavels.sarigins@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075632

Date of publication: 05.05.2015.

Implementation of the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" on 20^th February, 2015

Reporting meeting of the Immigration Liaison officer in Russia

On the 19 of February 2015 in the Embassy of Republic of Latvia in the Russian Federation in the framework of the project HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2022„Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" was organized reporting meeting of the Immigration Liaison officer in Russian Federation Lieutenant - Colonel Raimonds Deičmanis.

Meeting was opened by the Astra Kurme, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Russian Federation.

Meeting was attended by the Immigration Liaison officers of the State Border Guard in the Republic of Belarus and Georgia, Immigration Liaison Officers from EU/Schengen countries accredited in Russian Federation, delegations of the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia, the Police and Border Guard Board of the Republic of Estonia, and the State Border Guard Service at the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, officials of the EU Embassies, representatives of the Russian Federal Security Service and the Federal Migration Service.

During the meeting participants of the meeting were introduced to the activities of the Liaison Officer in Russia in 2014 and in the first 2 months of 2015 in the framework of the project No. HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2022 „Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia", his contribution in the fight against illegal migration and other cooperation issues.

Delegations of the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia, the Police and Border Guard Board of the Republic of Estonia, and the State Border Guard Service at the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania gave presentations on the situation at the borders of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.

Afterwards representatives of the Russian Federal Security Service and Federal Migration Service presented information concerning tasks of their agencies and statistical information on the results in the fight against illegal migration and other trans border crimes.

During the meeting delegation of the State Border Guard of Latvia awarded a medal to Astra Kurme, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Russian Federation for the contribution in the development of the State Border Guard.

The project is coo financed by the European Union

This publication was created with the support of the European External Borders Fund.

The State Border Guard shall be liable for the content of the publication

Contact person: Sandis Panga

E-mail: Sandis.Panga@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075754

Fax: 67075756

Date of publication: 20.02.2015.

Implementation of the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" on 10^th February, 2015

Participation of Immigration Liaison officer in Russia in the reporting meetings of Immigration Liaison officers in Belarus and Georgia.

On the 13 of January 2015 in the Embassy of Republic of Latvia in the Republic of Belarus and on 21 of January in the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Georgia were organized reporting meetings of the Immigration Liaison officers in Belarus (Colonel Oļegs Voloncevičs) and in Georgia (Colonel Edmunds Ļuļs and captain Edgars Dokāns).

Following participants took part in the reporting meetings: Immigration Liaison officers of the State Border Guard in the Republic of Belarus, Georgia and Russian Federation, Immigration Liaison Officers from EU/Schengen countries, officials of the Embassies and other cooperation partners in Republic of Belarus and Georgia.

During the meeting participants of the meeting were introduced to the activities of the Liaison Officers in the framework of the following projects No HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2013 „Further Development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and in the Republic of Belarus" and No. HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2022 „Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" as well as results of the activities carried out by the Latvian State Border Guard, Lithuanian State Border Service and Estonian Police and Border Guard Board in 2014.

The project is coo financed by the European Union

This publication was created with the support of the European External Borders Fund.

The State Border Guard shall be liable for the content of the publication

Contact person: Sandis Panga

E-mail: Sandis.Panga@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075754

Fax: 67075756

Implementation of the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" on 17^th December, 2014

Meeting of the Liaison officers in Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Russian Federation, Moscow

On the 2 of December 2014 in the Embassy of Republic of Latvia in the Russian Federation, Moscow was organized Meeting of Immigration Liaison Officers.

Meeting was attended by the Immigration Liaison Officers from EU/Schengen countries and representative of the EU Delegation to Russia Jani Taivalantti.

During the meeting participants of the meeting were introduced to the activities of the Liaison Officer, results of the activities carried out by the State Border Guard in first 10 months of 2014, routes of illegal migration, use of falsed travel documents and others questions.

Participants of the meeting showed particular interest in information provided by the Liaison officer related to the illegal crossing of Latvian border ("green" border) of citizens of Vietnam, attempts of Georgian officials to cross Latvian border without visas, and the abuse of the asylum procedure, as well as illegal immigration and use of falsed documents on routes from Istanbul and Athens to Riga.

During the meeting participants expressed its readiness to support Immigration officer in preparing of Report on the activities of the immigration liaison officers network and on the situation in Russia in matters relating to illegal immigration during the I half of 2015 (Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union).

Representative of the EU Delegation to Russia informed participants of the meeting regarding problems in bilateral relations between the European Union and Russia, which primarily associated with Russia - Ukraine relations. He also proposed to devote one of the next meetings to questions related to human trafficking problems as well as the exchange of information in this area.

The project is coo financed by the European Union

Contact person: Sandis Panga

E-mail: Sandis.Panga@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075754

Fax: 67075756

Date of publication: 17.12.2014.

Implementation of the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" on 1^st November, 2014

Participation of the Immigration Liaison Officer in the International Conference.

Immigration Liaison Officer of the State Border Guard Lieutenant Colonel Raimonds Deičmanis on 13-18 of October 2014 attended the 6 Session of the parties of Tobacco Convention Frame Conference of World Health Organization. Conference took place in Russian Federation, Moscow.

In total representatives of the 160 states participated in Conference, Latvia was represented by two representatives of the Ministry of health, representative of Ministry of finance, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and immigration liaison officer.

Session was opened by Health Minister of the Russian Federation Veronika Skvorcova by reading congratulation of the President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

During the session following questions were discussed: technical and organizational issues in the fight against tobacco, including smokeless and electronic use, marketing, advertising, and illegal circulation of tobacco.

The project is coo financed by the European Union

Contact person: Sandis Panga

E-mail: Sandis.Panga@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075754

Fax: 67075756

Date of publication: 01.11.2014.

Implementation of the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Point of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Russia" on 29^th August, 2014
 

14^th Meeting of the EU - Russia Joint Readmission committee, Moscow 02/07/2014.

Immigration Liaison Officer of the State Border Guard Lieutenant - Colonel Raimonds Deičmanis according to the invitation by the European Commission participated in the 14th meeting of the EU - Russia Joint Readmission committee.

Meeting took place in Russian Federation, Moscow on 2nd of July 2014.

The Russian delegation was led by Mr. N.Smorodin, Deputy Head of the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation, Mr. I.Tudorache, Head of International Affairs Unit of the Directorate-General of the European Commission, led the EU delegation.

During the meeting following key issues were discussed:
- Execution protocols of the Readmission Agreement of the European Union and Russian Federation;
- Readmission applications;
- Russian side informed about concluded agreements with other countries, as well as about agreements which are signed, but not valid, as well as about agreements which currently are in harmonization process;
- readmission of children;
- established shortages in the received readmission applications;
- entry visas for officials, who return detained foreigners to the country of origin.

The next meeting of Russia-EU Joint Committee on Readmission will be held in Belgium in June-July 2015.

The project is coo financed by the European Union

Contact person: Sandis Panga

E-mail: Sandis.Panga@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075754

Fax: 67075756

Date of publication: 29.08.2014.