On 7 December, the EUBAM-led MD-RO-UA Customs Coordination Group gathered at the Palanca (MD) – Maiaky-Udobne (UA) jointly operated border crossing point to enhance the efficiency of transportation routes for Ukrainian goods passing through Moldova to reach Romania and beyond.

This Group plays a crucial role in facilitating the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes and meets every three months, the last time in September in Cahul (MD) – Oancea (RO), to alleviate traffic congestion on transportation routes for Ukraine’s agricultural products. The Group is a forum for collaboration among the Customs Authorities of the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. It acts as a platform for other pertinent institutions involved in the process.

In addition to providing an overview of the operational situation at the border crossing points of the three countries, the meeting focused on identifying strategies to optimize the utilization of existing border infrastructure, finetune customs control of goods and control of food safety. The goal is to contribute effectively to alleviating congestion on transportation routes. Specific initiatives discussed included the possibility of opening additional border crossing points for cargo traffic, redirecting empty trucks, and implementing coordinated controls to reduce the time required for border crossings.

Slawomir Pichor, Head of EUBAM, acknowledged the heightened challenges of Russia’s ongoing strikes on transport infrastructure and harshened weather conditions. Emphasizing the collaborative nature of addressing this challenging situation, he stated, “Our Ukrainian partners highlighted during the meeting that these challenges cannot be tackled in isolation. The entire transport chain needs thorough consideration, requiring collective and swift action from all stakeholders.”