Civilian CSDP: Palestinian border officials get familiarised with European best practices

02.09.2019

Study visit to the heart for Europe concludes a modular coaching programme by the European Union for the Palestinian border and crossings authority. International standards in management in the forefront.

 

The European Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), a civilian CSDP Mission, supports the Palestinian Authority in building capacities related to border control. This is part of the overall effort to support Palestinian state-building and enhance trust between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

In a study visit, representatives from the Palestinian General Administration for Borders and Crossings visited the Belgian Directorate for International Police Cooperation in Brussels. The visit was organised by TAIEX together with EUBAM Rafah and the Directorate for International Police Cooperation.

Focus on international standards

The visit, which took place in August, focused on international standards on procedures as well as financial and human resources management for border agencies. This experience helped the visiting Palestinian delegation to better understand how to achieve a modern and sustainable border management in line with international standards.

The study visit included the seaport of Zeebrugge, with a practical demonstration of the operational control procedures in place and showcased how the Belgian authority cooperates with other border agencies, exchanges information and manages financial and administrative issues.

Modular coaching programme

The study visit came as the fourth and final event in a series of the TAIEX trainings for the Palestinian General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC). It built upon the results of the three previous events and complemented assistance provided by EUBAM Rafah to implement a wide array of measures to achieve more effective border controls by the GABC. The topics covered included business strategy, management, risk analysis, border controls and investigative techniques.

Established in 2005, EUBAM Rafah works with approximately 15 staff devoted to an efficient and accountable Palestinian borders and crossings administration, and is mandated to assist the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to redeploy to the Rafah Crossing Point, when conditions allow.

TAIEX stands for 'Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument of the European Commission'. TAIEX supports public administrations with regard to the approximation, application and enforcement of EU legislation as well as facilitating the sharing of EU best practices. It is largely needs-driven and delivers appropriate tailor-made expertise to address partners' challenges at short notice.