A technical assistance mission on implementation of certain chapters of the National Strategy of Integrated Border Management in Kyrgyzstan (IBM Strategy) was held in Bishkek between 7-10 June. The expert team, consisting of Col. Vladimirs Zaguzovs, Head of Administration at the Latvian Border Guards and Prof. Normunds Rudzitis, Professor at Riga Technical University, conducted a series of bilateral and joint meetings with the main IBM actors in Kyrgyzstan, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the State Border Service, the State Customs Service and other ministries and agencies involved in border management in Kyrgyzstan. 

The key objective of this BOMCA activity was to provide recommendations to beneficiaries on effective implementation of Kyrgyzstan’s IBM Strategy 2012-2022 and its Action Plan. Special focus was given to such issues as strategic planning, institutional development, human resources and professional development policy, preventing and fighting corruption, and communication and exchange of information on the internal, intra-agency and international levels. Both the EU and the national experts discussed the main achievements of IBM implementation in Kyrgyzstan and the plan for its further implementation. Representatives of agencies involved in IBM presented information about the state of play regarding implementation of the National IBM Action Plan and clarified the current status of short- and mid-term tasks. Progress was particularly noted in infrastructure modernisation, human resources policy improvement, personnel training and the fight against corruption, as well as cooperation with other Central Asia countries. Several fields of IBM activities were assessed as challenging and deserving of heightened attention and some other aspects were considered outdated and subjects which need to be reviewed.

All national counterparts highlighted BOMCA’s essential role in the strategic view on IBM in the Kyrgyz Republic as well as its invaluable support towards successful implementation of the National IBM Strategy 2012-2022. As mentioned during the final meeting with experts by Mr. Damir Sagynbaev, Head of the Department of Defence, Law Enforcement and Emergency at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Kyrgyz Republic, paying serious attention to IBM development and similar BOMCA initiatives is very necessary, especially in light of ongoing revision of the IBM Action Plan and the development of appropriate amendments in the national legislation.

Based on the discussions and findings of the mission, the experts will develop a set of recommendations on proper amendment and optimisation of the IBM Plan of Action in the Kyrgyz Republic.