OSCE and INTERPOL provide Moldova with real-time access to INTERPOL databases

CHISINAU, 28 April 2010 - A handover ceremony for a joint project by the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) and INTERPOL to equip 16 border control points and 11 police stations in Moldova with real-time access to INTERPOL's databases was held in Chisinau today.

"Secure, modern and efficient border control is an essential tool to increasing border security while at the same time enhancing traveller facilitation," said the OSCE Head on Anti-Terrorism Issues Raphael Perl, who formally handed over ownership of the project to the Republic of Moldova.

The Director General of the Moldovan Border Guard Service, Brigadier General Alexei Roibu, said: "I am grateful to the OSCE for donating equipment allowing us to access INTERPOL's databases, which will allow us to immediately identify persons who are wanted by other police services and stolen property. This is a way to fight crime and make our country safer."

The INTERPOL office in Moldova provided support to the project throughout its implementation and Bozidar Popovic, a liaison officer from INTERPOL's General Secretariat, is holding a two-day training session on accessing and using the databases for 10 senior officials from the headquarters of the Border Guard Service and 20 officials from selected border control points.