Parliament’s Foreign Policy and European Integration Commission today approved the start of talks with Ukraine on the construction of a new cross-border road bridge over the Nistru River, near Cosauti village.

According to a Parliament press release, the construction of the bridge will ensure the connection of roads through the eastern part of Moldova to international roads. At the same time, the bridge will facilitate trade on the domestic and international market. It will also increase Moldova’s role as a liaison between the states of the European Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The new bridge and the connecting road will be 1,600 meters long. Estimated at a total 100 million euros, with the costs to be covered by the Ukrainian government, the bridge is expected to be put into operation in late 2022.

Currently the border crossing at Cosauti/Yampil is serviced by a ferry.