The new Palanca State Border Crossing Point that is managed jointly by customs officers and border police officers of Moldova and Ukraine was inaugurated after renovations on December 28, IPN reports. Together with the extension of the point, the waiting time at the frontier post will decrease, the authorities promise.
In the inauguration, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said this event is an important one for both of the states. He thanked the Ukrainian side and the European Union for the provided financial support, noting this is an example of efficient use of EU funds for the people’s benefit. “We managed to build modern, European infrastructure here. This border crossing point built according to European standards brings us closer to Europe,” stated the Premier.
“In a world where we constantly face challenges and the security architecture changes permanently, the protection of the own borders is surely a strategic objective. At the same time, for us the support we receive from our partners in Ukraine is important,” said Pavel Filip, assuring the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, who attended the inaugural ceremony, that Moldova is near the Ukrainian authorities in their efforts to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
For his part, Petro Poroshenko said this is not a simple border crossing point and the time for crossing the border between the two states, Moldova and Ukraine, is not only shortened. There will be joint control of passports, joint customs procedures, everything for the citizens’ benefit. This point will play an important role in fighting smuggling and transfrontier offenses. It is very important that Ukraine and Moldova fulfil their obligations to the European partners.
The budget of the project is €6.18 million, €4.5 million of which was provided by the EU, while €1.68 million by the Government of Moldova.
Project manager Adrian Bejenaru told the press that the new facility occupies an area of 2.5 hectares and includes a modern administrative building with over 30 offices for employees of the Customs Service and the Border Police of the two states. There are also special areas for checking vehicles and a waiting hall for truck drivers. There are ten entry and exit lanes and a pedestrian control post for persons who cross the border on foot or by bicycle.
