Home > International Police Cooperation > News > With the support of the EEA Grants, the infrastructure …

With the support of the EEA Grants, the infrastructure of the “Terehova” border crossing point and a Customs Dogs Training Center have been improved

To showcase the achievements in strengthening capabilities to prevent smuggling and other violations, on September 18, 2024, the “Terehova” border crossing point (BCP) and the Customs Dogs Training Center of the State Revenue Service (SRS) in Rēzekne were visited by the Ambassadors of Norway and Iceland to Latvia, representatives of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Latvia and the Norwegian Police Directorate, as well as officials from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance. The visit took place within the framework of the closing events of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 programme “International Police Cooperation and Combating Crime” (EEA Grants programme).

The Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Latvia, Ine Måreng, and Deputy Head of Mission Hilde Berit Eide, the Ambassador of Iceland to Latvia Harald Aspelund, the representative of the Financial Mechanism Office Anna Gabriele Streithorst, the Senior Advisor of the Border, Migration and International Affairs Department of the Norwegian Police Directorate Morten Magnem, the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, the head of this EEA Grants programme, Kaspars Āboliņš, and other officials, as well as representatives from the EEA and Norwegian Grants National Focal Point in Latvia – the Ministry of Finance, got acquainted with the results achieved by implementing the EEA Financial Mechanism project “Preventing and combating economic crime at the Border Crossing Point “Terehova”.

By implementing the project “Preventing and combating economic crime at the Border Crossing Point “Terehova”, the SRS, in cooperation with the State Real Estate Agency, was able to make significant improvements to the infrastructure of the “Terehova” BCP. The second important part of the project activities was related to the establishment of the SRS Customs Dogs Training Center, involving the reconstruction of buildings, equipping appropriate premises, and providing the necessary technical means for training and exercises.

During the project implementation, employees of the SRS Customs Administration, the State Border Guard, and the Food and Veterinary Service improved their qualifications in training conducted by experts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and participated in international experience exchange events.

To apply the new knowledge and methods in practice, determine the effectiveness of using the latest technical means in the training process of working dogs, and verify the suitability of using narcotic simulators for training, four dog handlers with working dogs participated in specialized training within the framework of the project, during which a study was conducted. The findings of the study continue to be successfully used by customs dog handlers – instructors in their work.

During the visit, guests had the opportunity to learn how customs control is carried out at the “Terehova” BCP and how the infrastructure improvements implemented within the project facilitate this process. At the SRS Customs Dogs Training Center in Rēzekne, guests learned about the daily training of customs working dogs and handlers, and about the methods and technical means that allow achieving the best results in training and subsequent control measures.

With the support of the EEA Grants programme, it was possible to create a modern training center for customs dogs handlers and working dogs in Latvia, purchase equipment to improve the training process, implement qualification improvement measures for employees of border control services, and improve infrastructure. The set of implemented measures significantly strengthens the ability to prevent violations and economic crimes on the external border of the European Union.

The Ministry of the Interior is the programme operator of the EEA Grants programme “International Police Cooperation and Combating Crime”.

We work together for a secure and competitive Europe!