British law enforcement officers ready to help Ukrainian Interior Ministry in countering illegal migration

KYIV. Dec 9 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The British partners confirmed their readiness to help the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in countering illegal migration following the meeting of the Security and Defense section of the strategic partnership dialogue between the two countries, the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has reported.

"We are aware of the responsibility entrusted to the government of Ukraine and the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs – when Europe is blackmailed by an artificially created migration crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border. Our work is aimed at protecting and securing the external borders of the EU. Today, during a panel discussion within the framework of the Strategic Partnership Dialogue between Ukraine and Great Britain, together with international partners, cooperation in the field of border protection has been discussed," said Deputy Interior Minister Mary Hakobyan.

At the same time, the Ukrainian side told the British colleagues about the measures taken by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to eliminate new hybrid threats to national security and ways to strengthen the Ukrainian-Belarusian section of the state border. The measures include, among other things, the development of the intellectual frontier and the involvement of international partners to strengthen the capacity in this matter.

"Now the situation on the border with the Republic of Belarus is completely under control, but we understand that there is a possibility of an aggravation of the situation if the flows of illegal migrants are redirected and begin to break through the Ukrainian borders. Therefore, it is time to unite efforts and jointly counteract these challenges. The British side confirmed its readiness to help the Ministry of Internal Affairs Ukraine in strengthening borders and countering illegal migration."