STCU P100 Strengthens Frontline Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in Southeast and Eastern European Region: Fact-Finding Visit to Montenegro

14 Feb 2024 - 16 Feb 2024

The Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) successfully completed a fact-finding visit to Montenegro, undertaken as part of the P100 project, "Strengthening Front Line Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in the South East and Eastern European (SEEE) Region," from February 14-16, 2024. This initiative was organized by STCU with financial support from the European Commission EU CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative.
The primary objective of the visit was to assess the management of front line biosafety and biosecurity measures implemented by relevant government agencies in Montenegro. This included engagements with key stakeholders such as the Border Police, Customs Service, Institute of Public Health, and Administration for Inspection Affairs. Over the course of three days, the P100 Team conducted site visits to border crossing points along the Montenegro-Albania border and engaged in discussions to gain insights into the specific practices and challenges related to biosafety and biosecurity management in the country to consolidate findings and develop preliminary recommendations.
Highlights from the three-day assessment visit agenda include:
Day 1: February 14th
• Site visit to Božaj Border Crossing Point (BCP) for firsthand observation of front line management and BS&S measures
• Engaging discussions with frontline personnel and stakeholders regarding existing procedures and equipment
Day 2: February 15th
• Meetings with key departments and institutions involved in BS&S management, including the Border Police Directorate, and Customs Service
• Discussions on existing SOPs, inter-agency collaboration, and regional BS&S management collaboration
Day 3: February 16th
• Meetings with the Institute of Public Health and Administration for Inspection Affairs
• Discussions on the Institute's role in frontline biosafety and biosecurity management, existing SOPs and trainings, inter-agency collaboration, and cross-border/regional BS&S management collaboration
STCU together with the EU expresses its gratitude to the Montenegro authorities for their cooperation and commitment to strengthening biosafety and biosecurity measures in the SEEE Region. This initiative underscores STCU's and EU’s dedication to strengthening BS&S measures in the SEEE region and fostering international collaboration to mitigate biological threats effectively.

Contact Person: Peter Mutovkin