Moldova, Ukraine strengthen connections through new border crossing point

Moldova and Ukraine will establish the road border crossing point Cosauti–Yampil. It will have international status, facilitate citizens’ mobility, support trade exchanges and improve direct connections between settlements of the two countries.

The initiative is based on the Protocol signed this week between the government of  Moldova and the cabinet of ministers of Ukraine in Kyiv. The document provides for the establishment of a new road border crossing point and the construction of a cross-border road bridge over the Dniester River.

Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin has told MOLDPRES that the protocol sets the legal framework for the establishment of the road border crossing point.

“It will be opened after the necessary infrastructure is completed, facilitating international traffic and the mobility of citizens. The new point will strengthen the development of cooperation between Ukraine and Moldova. It will also bring benefits for citizens and economic operators, by reducing waiting times at border crossing points, improving the flow of people and goods and facilitating cross-border mobility, thus contributing to deeper economic and social integration between the two states,” said Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

The official also underlined that, at present, on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, joint control was legally regulated at nine border crossing points, of which seven are operational. The other two points remain suspended because of the war in Ukraine.

“For the government, the mobility of citizens and freight transport are clear priorities, set out in the National Plan for EU Accession. Wherever there is mobility, there is also business and this directly contributes to improving citizens’ quality of life, which is what we want for our country. Thus, we are in the process of expanding and strengthening joint control with Ukraine, in order to accelerate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods,” noted Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

In addition to establishing new crossing points and expanding joint controls, the authorities are implementing more measures to streamline cross-border traffic.

“They include the digitalization of control procedures, increasing frontline staff, opening additional lanes where infrastructure allows, applying the ‘Reverse’ procedure when necessary, and maintaining ongoing cooperation with the Customs Service and neighboring border authorities. As for infrastructure, the Border Police is implementing the Government’s Growth Plan by acquiring special equipment, including IT systems for biometric controls and surveillance, as well as for modernizing existing points and building new border crossing points. Thus, for 2026, the completion of the construction of the Otaci Border Police Sector headquarters and the start of works on the Northern Regional Directorate headquarters are planned. All these measures aim to ensure faster, safer and more predictable cross-border traffic, while protecting citizens’ security and facilitating trade and the mobility of people between countries,” emphasized Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

The construction of the new cross-border road bridge over the Dniester and the establishment of the Cosauti–Yampil border crossing point will ease traffic in the northern area of the country and ensure the connection of the road network through the eastern part of Moldova to the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). This infrastructure will facilitate trade on both domestic and international markets.