The customs authorities of Kosovo and North Macedonia have discussed the possibility of establishing a joint border crossing at Hani i Elezit, as part of efforts to facilitate trade, improve border management and reduce waiting times for citizens and goods.
The issue was discussed in Prishtina during a meeting between the Director General of Kosovo Customs, Agron Llugaliu, and the Director General of the Customs Administration of North Macedonia, Boban Nikolovski, alongside delegations from both institutions.
According to Kosovo Customs, the meeting focused on strengthening regional cooperation, facilitating trade and advancing modern customs administration.
A key topic was cooperation at the Hani i Elezit border crossing, where the two sides discussed the possibility of creating a joint crossing based on the principles of integrated border control.
The proposed arrangement would aim to speed up the movement of goods and citizens while reducing waiting times and simplifying border procedures.
The delegations also discussed further cooperation at the Glloboçicë border crossing and the expansion of operational coordination between the two customs administrations.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for officials to exchange experiences regarding European integration, alignment with the European Union Customs Code and the development of modern customs systems.
Particular attention was given to e-commerce and pre-arrival declarations, including their potential benefits for economic operators and the efficiency of customs procedures.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in combating smuggling through the exchange of information and data, including information on high-value goods and cash declarations at the border.
According to Kosovo Customs, the authorities intend to strengthen coordination of joint anti-smuggling operations at border crossing points and in the green border zones.
The cooperation is supported by existing mutual-assistance mechanisms, including electronic data exchange and the SEED system.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two customs administrations reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation, exchanging expertise and coordinating activities aimed at facilitating legitimate trade, improving the efficiency of customs procedures and combating smuggling and other illegal activities.
