As part of BOMCA’s commitment to share law enforcement “best practices” and demonstrate practical joint work of EU border agencies as well as modern approaches in the field of border security, the State Border Guard of Latvia hosted a study visit of Central Asian delegates from border, customs, migration, veterinary and phytosanitary agencies between 14-16 June.

Participants were invited to visit the Border Guard College, the K9 Centre and the Aviation Board located in Rezekne and to get acquainted with the border guard training system, the functioning of the canine centre and the “green” border surveillance. Participants also visited the Ludza and Opoli Border Guard Sections where examples of cooperation mechanisms at the regional and local levels, the functional structure and the technical means used in managing migration flows were presented to them together, along with “green” border surveillance models and best practices at the Latvian-Russian border. 

The Central Board of the State Border Guard, the Customs Board of the State Revenue Service, and the Food and Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture presented their organisational structure, the national legislation and their personnel policy as well as shared their experience on reforms implemented and transition from the military to the law enforcement agency. Special attention was given to demonstration of the advantages of intra-service, inter-agency and international level cooperation which streamlines law enforcement communication and information exchange for coordinated actions. 

The study visit made participants more aware of international practices and the principles and tools that govern collaborative border management across Europe and encouraged the use of modern IBM approaches at CA borders. In the broader extent, this BOMCA activity contributes to the overall efforts of Central Asian states towards strengthening the institutional capacity of border agencies in the issues of border management and security.