Cross border co-operation in focus of OSCE hosted Border Security Experts meeting in Berlin, co-operation and dialogue more important than ever

BERLIN, 12 April 2016 – The 10th Annual Meeting of the OSCE Border Security and Management National Focal Points  Network, devoted to promoting cross border co-operation and confidence-building to address emerging threats and challenges in the OSCE region,  will take place from 12 to 13 April 2016 in Berlin.

 “Co-operation and dialogue are more important than ever,” said State Secretary Emilie Haber from Germany’s Interior Ministry, in her opening remarks. “The OSCE has a key role as a forum for joint efforts to conflict resolution.”

The National Focal Points, joined by experts from national border security and management agencies, international and regional organizations addressed the issues of emerging transnational threats and challenges and modern approaches to border security and management; cross-border co-operation and confidence building mechanisms; crisis management through communication with partner agencies and the public. 

On the second day of the Meeting, the participants will take a part in a study visit to the German-Polish border in Świecko where they will have an opportunity to learn about best practices in conducting joint border operations, utilizing  specialized structures and information exchange mechanisms for more efficient border security and management. They also get an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the work of Police and Customs Co-operation Centers.

In addition, they will also have the opportunity to discuss further development of the Network and future activities and to propose initiatives to be supported by the OSCE.

The Network, marking its 10^th Anniversary this year, was established as a result of an OSCE Permanent Council Decision in 2006.

Alexey Lyzhenkov, the Director of the Transnational Threats Department of the OSCE Secretariat, acknowledged the serious challenges facing border security and management agencies. “Many current security challenges obviously needed to be addressed through creative non-standard solutions.”

The OSCE Border Security and Management Concept of 2005 tasked the OSCE to facilitate the “exchange of information, experience and best practices” as well as “technical dialogue between national border services and competent national structures” on border security and management issues. To provide the OSCE participating States with the toolbox to address these issues, the Concept identified the “establishment of national focal points as a method by which a possible OSCE contribution may be delivered”.  

The Network counts 100 officially appointed National Focal Points from 57 OSCE participating States.

The meeting was organized by the OSCE Secretariat's Transnational Threats Department in co-operation with the German OSCE Chairmanship.