31 December 2018  – Jointly operated by the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine border and customs services, Palanca border crossing point was launched into operation on December 28, 2018. With EUR 4.5 million invested by the European Union and EUR 1.68 million by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the crossing point was built from scratch in the framework of a project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.

The facility is located on a 2.6-hectare area and includes a modern three-store administrative building, with over 30 offices for the employees of the Border Police and Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, specially designed premises for the control of goods, cars and trucks, etc. With EU support, specialized equipment for the activity of the customs officers and border guards, computers and furniture, were procured and installed.

The border crossing point was designed and built in line with the European Integrated Border Management principles. It ensures optimal conditions for all travelers who will cross the border, including persons with disabilities, asylum seekers, entrepreneurs, etc. For the first time, a pedestrian control post was built at Palanca for people having agricultural land plots beyond Odesa-Reni highway. The border can be crossed on foot or by bicycle via this post.

The new border crossing point is linked to Odesa-Reni highway by a new access road for the construction of which the Government of the Republic of Moldova allocated EUR 630,000. The new road has street lighting and three traffic lanes.

Present at the inauguration, Pavel Filip, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, mentioned: “This crossing point, as it is today, means more comfort for the citizens, as new equipment will facilitate the crossing of the border, and people will not spend hours in queues. We are also talking today about better conditions for employees: customs officers and border guards. We have managed to build here a modern and European infrastructure that brings us closer to Europe.”

Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, noted: “Not only do we inaugurate a common border crossing point, not only we shorten the border crossing between Moldova and Ukraine. We will perform joint passport control, there will be joint customs procedures."

Urszula Pałłasz, Chargé d'affaires a.i., Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, said: “The European Union remains committed to providing support for the improvement of the daily life of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Thanks to EU assistance, the jointly operated border crossing point Palanca will contribute to the economic stabilization and sustainable development in the region and comfort of the travelers and businesses, by introducing European standards.”

The authorities expect that the joint border control will help diminish corruption at the border.

Valeria Ieseanu, UNDP Designed Official a.i. and Head of Programme in the Republic of Moldova, noted: “The Palanca border crossing point will produce multiple positive effects, including: enhanced border control procedures, accelerated traffic flow, reduced risk of corruption, and better opportunities of combatting cross-border crime. This we hope will also result in increased trade and economic exchange between the countries contributing to the sustainable development of the region and to poverty reduction.”

The joint border control will accelerate the traffic flow across this area, with all procedures taking less than ten minutes. If so far about 600,000 people crossed the border every year through Palanca crossing point, this number could double thanks to the new facility. At the same time, the number of vehicles crossing the border will also increase, while queuing up at border will remain a distant memory.

Palanca border crossing point is located at the southeast border of the Republic of Moldova, about 140 kilometers from Chisinau.

Creation of the jointly operated border crossing points is part of the Association Agreement signed between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union.

For more information please contact:

Natalia Porubin, National Communication Consultant, Tel.: 079 727205; E-mail: nataporubin@gmail.com