Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Points of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and in the Republic of Belarus

On 2nd January 2016 the Project No HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2013 "Further Development of Immigration Liaison Officers Points of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and the Republic of Belarus" was successfully closed. The term of implementation of the Project was from 2nd January 2014 till 2nd January 2016.

The overall objective of the project: Providing control of the External border's of the European Union and extend effective management of the migration flows in accordance with the requirements of the Schengen acquis

The specific objective of the project: To expand and ensure immigration liaison officer networks related to security of the external borders of the European Union, to promote productive working tasks of the migration flow control, representing the interests of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia, as well as the immigration area in the European Union in, establishing and maintaining direct contacts, within the framework of their competence to achieve, analyze and supply with necessary information in the field of the prevention and combating of illegal immigration

Within the framework of project:

On 19 November 2013 was signed a grant agreement between the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia and the European Commission on European Commission financial support for the project 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".

On 23rd January 2014 the State Border Guard of Latvia, the State Border Guard Service of Lithuania, and the Board of Border Guard of Estonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Activity of the Liaison Officer Points in Belarus and in Georgia. The Memorandum of Understanding determines location and working regulations for the Liaison Officer Points, duties of the liaison officers and procedures for the exchange of information.

Liaison Officers of the State Border Guard of Latvia in Georgia and in Belarus represented interests of three countries - the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia.

Results of the Project:

In accordance with the goal of the Fund was made contribution to carrying out such measures which have been organized by the services of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia concerning cooperation between Member States, including the activities of Immigration Liaison Officers, establishing the Immigration Liaison Officer Points of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and in the Republic of Belarus.

The project was implemented within the framework of the External Borders Fund of the European Union's Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows Framework Program 2007-2013.

The project is co-financed by the European Union

Contact person: Anna Davidoviča

E-mail: anna.davidovica@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075792

Date of publication: 02.01.2016.

In the framework of the Project of the European Commission "Further Development of Immigration Liaison Officers Points of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and the Republic of Belarus" Immigration Liaison officer in Belarus held a conference on results of activities in 2015 on 23 -25 November. This event took place at premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Belarus and representatives of Consular Departments of Embassies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, the State Border Guard of Latvia, State Border Guard Service at the Ministry of Interior of Lithuania, Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia, Liaison office of Finland, International Organisation on Migration, State Border Guard Committee of Republic of Belarus, Liaison officers of EU countries in Belarus, representatives of the Ministry of Interior of Belarus, as well as representatives of carriers („AirBaltic", „Belavia", „Railways of Belarus", „Ecolines" and „MinskTrans") took part in this conference.

During the conference the following issues were discussed:

• Liaison officer of the State Border Guard of Latvia in Russia presented common information about the State Border Guard (SBG) of Latvia (history, tasks and results of 2015 of SBG);

• Liaison officer of the State Border Guard of Latvia in Belarus presented results of activities in Belarus;

• Liaison officer of the State Border Guard of Latvia in Georgia presented results of activities in Georgia;

• Liaison officer of the State Border Guard of Latvia in Russia presented results of activities in Russia;

Representative of the State Border Guard Committee of Belarus presented results of activities of the State Border Guard Committee of Belarus in 2015;

• Representative of the Ministry of Interior (Deputy Director of the Department of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs) presented results of activities of Department in 2015 in the field of migration;

• Representative of the Police and Border Guard Board presented results of combating of illegal migration in 2015;

• Representative of the State Border Guard Service at the Ministry of Interior of Lithuania presented results of activities in 2015.

In the framework of the Project liaison officers' points in Georgia and Belarus will be acting from the 2nd of January 2014 till 2nd of January of 2016 and Latvian State Border Guard Liaison officers will present interests of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and Belarus.

The project is co-financed by the European Union

Contact person: Anna Davidoviča

E-mail: anna.davidovica@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075792

Date of publication: 25.11.2015.

On November 11, 2015 the Liaison Officer of State Border Guard in Georgia and the Liaison Officer (Expert) of State Border Guard set up the meeting about operation of Liaison Officers' Point within the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Points of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and the Republic of Belarus" (HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2013). The meeting took place at the Embassy of Latvian Republic in Georgia. Participants of the reporting meeting were partners of memorandum of understanding- Latvian State Border Guard delegation, Lithuanian State Border Guard delegation, Estonian Police and Border Guard delegation. The meeting attended the Liaison Officers of France, Austria, Finland (Latvia, Belorussia, Estonia, Lithuania and Ukraine), Elita Gavele, the Ambassador of Latvia in Georgia, the Heads of Consular Units of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, the Head of International Migration Organization in Georgia, representatives of Patrol Police and Border Police of the Ministry of Interior of Georgia, as well as representatives of companies „airBaltic" and „Wiz Air". The Liaison Officer of State Border Guard presented the results of activities of the Liaison Officers Point. Presentations were delivered by representatives of Lithuanian State Border Guard delegation, Estonian Police and Border Guard delegations, as well as State Border Guard of Latvia in Belarus and State Border Guard of Latvia in Russian Federation. Guests highly appreciated operational capacity of the Liaison Officers of the State Border Guard and their good relationship with all counterparts partners and expressed confidence in necessity to continue the State Border Guard Liaison Officers' point activities in Georgia. Due to support of Liaison Officers and information they provided, the partner authorities were supported to combat illegal migration forwards EU.

In the framework of the Project liaison officers' points in Georgia and Belarus will be acting from the 2nd of January 2014 till 2nd of January of 2016 and Latvian State Border Guard Liaison officers will present interests of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and Belarus.

The project is co-financed by the European Union

Contact person: Anna Davidoviča

E-mail: anna.davidovica@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075792

Date of publication: 12.11.2015.

On May 22, the Liaison Officer of State Border Guard in Georgia in cooperation with the Head of International Cooperation and Protocol Division set up the meeting on operation of Liaison Officers' Point within the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Points of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and the Republic of Belarus" (HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2013). The meeting took place in the conference hall of Hotel "Holiday Inn". Participants of the reporting meeting were representatives of State Border Guard of Latvia, State Border Guard of Lithuania, Police and Border Guard Administration of Estonia. Liaison Officers accredited in Georgia: Greece, France and Austria, the Adviser of Ambassador of Latvian Republic in Georgia, representatives of Consular Services of the Embassies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, representatives of European Commission and FRONTEX, Liaison Officers of Italy, Finland, Switzerland and Liaison Officers of Germany and the Netherlands joined the meeting.

The Representative of European Commission on the issues of illegal migration and return politics presented "Main latest events in Liaison Officers' network". The Liaison Officer of State Border Guard presented the results of operation of the Liaison Officer's Point. Representative from Lithuania prepared presentation: "Presidency state report on the activities of Liaison Officers' Division on illegal migration in Georgia". Representative from Estonia presented "Cases of illegal migration in Ukraine. Crisis and migration process". Representatives from EU member countries: Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Austria gave benefits of their countries experience about "Experience and the best practice of EU member countries in development of Liaison Officer's network". Consuls of the Embassies of EU member countries: Switzerland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in Georgia participated in discussion.

Guests highly appreciated professional capacity of the Liaison Officers of the State Border Guard and their good collegial relationship with partners and expressed confidence in necessity to continue the State Border Guard Liaison Officers' point activities in Georgia. Due to support of Liaison Officers and information they provided, the partner authorities were able to combat illegal migration in the European Union more effectively.

In the framework of the Project liaison officers' points in Georgia and Belarus will be acting from the 2nd of January 2014 till 2nd of January of 2016 and Latvian State Border Guard Liaison officers will present interests of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and Belarus.

The project is co-financed by the European Union

Contact person: Anna Davidoviča

E-mail: anna.davidovica@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075792

Date of publication: 22.05.2015.

On January 21, Liaison Officer of the State Border Guard in Georgia and Liaison Officer (expert) of the State Border Guard organized the meeting about operation of Liaison Officers' Point within the project "Further development of Immigration Liaison Officers Points of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and the Republic of Belarus" (HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2013). The meeting took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Georgia. Participants of the reporting meeting were representatives of Latvian State Border Guard, Lithuanian Border Guard Service, Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. The meeting was attempted by ILO of France and Finland, Elita Gavele, the Ambassador of Republic of Latvia in Georgia, the Heads of Consular Departments of the Embassies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, the Head of the International Migration Organization in Georgia, the representatives of the Patrol Police and Border Police of the Ministry of Interior of Georgia, as well as the representatives of companies „airBaltic" and „Wiz Air".

Liaison Officer of State Border Guard presented the results of activities of the Liaison Officers Point. Participants highly appreciated professional capacity of the Liaison Officer's of the State Border Guard and their good relationships with partners and expressed confidence in necessity to continue the State Border Guard Liaison Officers' point activities in Georgia. Due to support of Liaison Officers and information they provided, the partner authorities were able to combat illegal migration in the European Union more effectively.

In the framework of the Project liaison officers' points in Georgia and Belarus will be acting from the 2nd of January 2014 till 2nd of January of 2016 and Latvian State Border Guard Liaison officers will present interests of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and Belarus.

The project is co-financed by the European Union

Contact person: Sandis Panga

E-mail: sandis.panga@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075754

Date of publication: 22.01.2015.

On 12-14th January, 2015 the Liaison officer of the State Border Guard held a reporting meeting. The results of cooperation and activity in 2014 were discussed during the meeting. Representatives of the State Border Guard of Latvia, Consular Departments of the Embassies of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, International Organization of Migration, Ministry of Interior and the State Border Guard Committee of Belarus, attaché (Liaison Officer) of Finland, representatives of Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia, Of the State Border Guard Service of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as representatives of „AirBaltic", „Belavia", „Belorussian Railways", „Ecolines" and „MinskTrans" took part in the meeting, which was held in the premises of the Embassy of Latvia in Minsk.

On 13th of January Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia in Belarus opened the conference for the specialists of services of border guarding and migration. The conference was dedicated to the results of cooperation and marking further targets in cooperation between services. In the speech of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia in Belarus was pointed the priorities of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and paid attention to the security measures, related to the fight against irregular migration.

At the beginning of the seminar the Chief of Department of the IOM in Belarus informed about the activities of IOM (mostly on issues of illegal migration), as well as about technical support to state and public authorities in the field of irregular migration: strengthen of the border surveillance, training, monitoring, organising the seminars, exchange of experience, development of a new system of filtration and registration (for customs). The Chief of Consular Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Belarus informed about the results of activities in 2014. The representative of the State Border Guard of Latvia presented the information "Initially comparable data on the situation at the external borders 2014". The Liaison Officer of the State Border Guard of Latvia in Belarus informed about the activities of Liaison Officer in Belarus in 2014. Also, Liaison Officers of the State Border Guard of Latvia in Georgia and Russia presented the results of activities in 2014. Representative of the Police and Border Guard Board of the Republic of Estonia presented the information on the fight against illegal migration in 2014. The representative of the State Border Guard Service at the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Lithuania presented the results of activities of the State Border Guard Service in 2014. Analyzing the situation, the tendencies are remaining: the number of forged documents detected in Lithuania and Estonia, as well as the number of vehicles and persons crossing border control points is not so high as in Latvia. The Deputy Chief of the Department of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs (hereafter Department) presented the information on the results of activities in 2014 on issues of migration, as well as predicted trends.

In the framework of the Project liaison officers' points in Georgia and Belarus will be acting from the 2nd of January 2014 till 2nd of January of 2016 and Latvian State Border Guard Liaison officers will present interests of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and Belarus.

The project is co-financed by the European Union

Contact person: Sandis Panga

E-mail: sandis.panga@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075754

Date of publication: 14.01.2015.

On June 18, Edmunds Ļuļs, the Colonel, the State Border Guard Liaison Officer in Georgia and Edgars Dokāns, the Captain, the Liaison Officer (expert) conducted the reporting meeting about the operation of Liaison officers point in Georgia within the project "Continuation of development of Immigration Liaison Officers Points of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and the Republic of Belarus" (HOME/2012/EBFX/CA/2013).

The meeting took place indoors of the Embassy of Latvian Republic in Georgia. In the reporting meeting participated representatives of Triangular Agreement Memorandum Partner-Authorities: Delegation of Latvian State Border Guard was presented by Ivars Zālītis, the General, the First Deputy of the Head of the Central Board of the State Border Guard; Delegation of Lithuanian Republic State Border Guard Service, presented by Sergejus Partnovas, the Chief Specialist of International Cooperation Department of State Border Guard of Republic of Lithuania; Delegation of Estonian Republic Police and Border Guard Administration was presented by Heigo Vija, the Head of Three Countries Cooperation Department. At the meeting took part accredited in Georgia Liaison Officers of Austria and France, Elita Gavele, the accredited Ambassador of Latvian Republic in Georgia, Anna Valtere, the Head of Consular Department of Embassy, the representatives of Patrol Police and Border Police of the Ministry of Interior of Georgia as well as the representatives of airlines air Baltic and WizzAir in Georgia.

E. Ļuļs, the Colonel, the State Border Guard Liaison Officer presented the results of Liaison Officers Point activities in Georgia. The presentations were performed by delegation of Lithuanian Republic State Border Guard Service, delegation of Estonian Republic Police and Border Guard Department, State Border Guard Liaison Officer in the Republic of Belorussia and Sate Border Guard Liaison Officer in Russian Federation as well.

Professional skills of State Border Guard Liaison Officers and good collegiate relations with cooperation partners held high regard there were no doubts about necessity of Liaison Officers State Border Guard Point further operation. Due to State Border Guard Liaison Officers' assistance and information provided partner authorities are able to struggle with illegal migration in EU countries more effective.

On June 18, there also the meeting of Ivars Zālītis, the General, the First Deputy of the Head of the Central Board of the State Border Guard with Elita Gavele, the Exclusive Ambassador of Latvian Republic in Georgia was held.

In the framework of the Project liaison officers' points in Georgia and Belarus will be acting from the 2nd of January 2014 till 2nd of January of 2016 and Latvian State Border Guard Liaison officers will present interests of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and Belarus.

The project is co-financed by the European Union

Contact person: Ilze Staša

E-mail: ilze.stasa@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075741

Date of publication: 19.06.2014.

In the framework of the Project of the European Commission "Further Development of Immigration Liaison Officers Points of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and the Republic of Belarus" Immigration Liaison officer in Belarus held a conference on results of activities in 2014 on 9 -11th June. This event took place at premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Belarus and representatives of Consular Departments of Embassies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, the State Border Guard of Latvia, State Border Guard Service at the Ministry of Interior of Lithuania, Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia, Liaison office of Finland, International Organisation on Migration, State Border Guard Committee of Republic of Belarus, Liaison officers of EU countries in Belarus, representatives of the Ministry of Interior of Belarus, as well as representatives of carriers („AirBaltic", „Belavia", „Railways of Belarus", „Ecolines" and „MinskTrans") took part in this conference.

The Head of the Consular Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia informed about activities during the Ice Hockey World Championship. The Consular Department had a great experience in providing help to Latvian nationals.

Representative of the State Border Guard of Latvia informed about history, tasks and results of activities of the State Border Guard.

Liaison Officer of the State Border Guard in Belarus presented results of activities in Belarus..

Liaison Officer of the State Border Guard in Georgia presented results of activities in Georgia.

Liaison Officer of the State Border Guard in Russia presented results of activities in Russia.

Representative of the State Border Guard Committee provided the presentation "Ensuring of State security during the Ice Hockey World Championship 2014". Presentation included information on peculiarities, aims, tasks, and risks, as well as legislation that determine implementation of state security during international sports events.

Liaison Officer of France presented information on Department of International Cooperation of Border Police Department of France.

Representative of the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of MIA of Belarus presented results of 2013 in the field of migration, as well as possible future trends.

Representative of the Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia presented results in the field of migration in I quarter of 2014.

Representative of the Border Guard Service of MIA of Lithuania presented results of activities in 2013. In the framework of the Project liaison officers' points in Georgia and Belarus will be acting from the 2nd of January 2014 till 2nd of January of 2016 and Latvian State Border Guard Liaison officers will present interests of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and Belarus.

The project is co-financed by the European Union

Contact person: Ilze Staša

E-mail: ilze.stasa@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075741

Date of publication: 12.06.2014.

On 24th -25th of February 2014 the Chief of the State Border Guard of Latvia General Normunds Garbars visited the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Minsk, where he met with Latvian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mihails Popkovs, as well as had working meeting with the Chief of State Border Guard Committee of the Republic of Belarus Leonid Malcev.

Chiefs of the institutions summarized the results of 2013 year and noted that the situation at the state border is stable and predictable. They also noted that the cooperation between Belorussian and Latvian border control departments and services last year was dynamical and fruitful. During the meeting common events were defined. The aim of these events is to prevent possible threats in border control area and strengthen the control on Latvian - Belorussian border during the Ice Hockey World Cup in Belarus. Also during the meeting the Chief of the Latvian State Border Guard General Normunds Garbars informed Belorussian colleagues about the Programme of European Commission "Solidarity and management of migration flows 2007 - 2013". In the framework of European External Borders Fund is started the realization of the project 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 presented Liaison officer of the Latvian State Border Guard Olegs Voloncevičs. In conclusion the minutes of meeting was signed.

On 26.02.2014 and 27.02.2014 the Chief of the State Border Guard of Latvia General Normunds Garbars visited the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Tbilisi, where he met with Latvian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, as well as had working meeting with the Chiefs of Border Police and Patrol Police of the Ministry of Interior of Georgia. The visit was organized with an aim to introduce the Liaison Officer of Latvian State Border Guard and Liaison Officer (expert) to the Officials of Border Police and Patrol Police of the Ministry of Interior of Georgia.

In the framework of the Project liaison officers' points in Georgia and Belarus will be acting from the 2nd of January 2014 till 2nd of January of 2016 and Latvian State Border Guard Liaison officers will present interests of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia in Georgia and Belarus.

The project is co-financed by the European Union

Contact person: Ilze Staša

E-mail: ilze.stasa@rs.gov.lv

Tel.: 67075741

Date of publication: 27.02.2014.