From 25 to 27 July BOMCA organised a three-day study tour in Latvia on border demarcation and delimitation for representatives of relevant state agencies of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The activity brought together delegates representing Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Border Services and National Commissions on delimitation and demarcation issues.

The agenda of the study visit offered an opportunity for studying the Latvian experience on such issues as delimitation and demarcation processes of the state border. During multilateral meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Border Guard, and State Land Service, the participants received a detailed overview of the steps, challenges and solutions identified by the Latvian colleagues while going through demarcation and delimitation processes with Belarus, Lithuania and Russia.  Particular attention was given to  international and national legal bases, decision-making mechanisms and practical aspects of the work of the demarcation commission.  Both guests and hosting experts shared national experiences and best practices of bilateral cooperation on border delimitation and demarcation, but also the challenges encountered in the process of demarcation.

Furthermore, participants visited various locations alongside the Latvian-Russian and border and received first-hand information on the organization of border demarcation and delimitation and functioning of the border delegate system.

The goal of this BOMCA activity was to highlight the experience, challenges and practical examples of demarcation and delimitation on Latvian borders with neighbouring countries that would give the possibility to participating officials to adapt certain useful aspects in their countries’ local context.