On 18 September, EUBAM convened in Chișinău the 11th Meeting of the Regional Customs Coordination Group to reinforce efforts on streamlining cargo traffic and strengthening the EU–Ukraine Solidarity Lanes. Senior customs officials and border management stakeholders from the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine, together with EUBAM, reviewed operational situation, legislative alignment, and infrastructure priorities to improve cross-border trade and connectivity in the Lower Danube region.
Building on these efforts to enhance regional connectivity, participants welcomed the recent introduction of coordinated control at the Galați Border Crossing Point (BCP) on entry to Romania – a measure long supported by EUBAM through its technical expertise and facilitation of dialogue. The launch marks a significant step toward improving trade flows and strengthening regional economic resilience. Expanding this practice to additional crossing points, beginning with Prut-Falciu (railway) and Sculeni-Sculeni (road) on the Moldova-Romania border, was discussed.
Against this backdrop of progress on coordinated control, participants reviewed the operational situation at road, rail, and river border crossings, noting that cargo flows have remained largely stable since the last meeting in May.
Delegates reaffirmed their commitment to achieving operational readiness for international transit under the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) within the agreed deadlines, ensuring full alignment with EU standards. Moldovan Customs confirmed steady progress, noting that it is technically ready, with full operationalisation expected this year once Moldova receives the official invitation to join the NCTS Convention.
Participants also reviewed plans for upgrading access roads and border infrastructure for 2025-2026 at Moldova-Ukraine and Moldova-Romania borders, underlining their importance for regional connectivity and the EU–Ukraine Solidarity Lanes. There are ongoing and planned investments to improve infrastructure in the area of Giurgiulesti-Reni, which will increase the operability and capacity of the Lower Danube transport corridor. To complement these efforts, views were exchanged on harmonizing vehicle admission for customs clearance at JOBCPs in Moldova and Ukraine, aimed at reducing congestion and accelerating cargo flows.
Closing the meeting, Head of EUBAM Slawomir Pichor commented the strong regional cooperation between the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine, emphasizing that continued legislative alignment, infrastructure improvements, and operational coordination remain vital for reliable trade routes benefiting businesses, economies, and citizens across the region.
