On October 5, 2011, International Advisors of the South Caucasus Integrated Border Management (SCIBM) Programme got together in Tbilisi to review the progress made by the programme since its inception in 2010, and hear the presentations of the three country offices in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Representatives of the European Union; embassies of the EU member states and the United States in Georgia; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and Media representatives attended the meeting.
European Union is assisting the governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to maintain open but secure borders. The EU-funded regional programme demonstrates the advantages of Integrated Border Management as one of the most effective mechanisms for facilitating the movement of persons and goods while at the same time maintaining secure borders.
The SCIBM programme closely works with the relevant ministries and agencies in the three South Caucasus countries. The programme implements pilot demonstration projects at the border crossing points. Furthermore, it enhances strategic capacities of the South Caucasus countries for effective border management and assists in establishing relevant policies and procedures.