”Improved border-crossing conditions for business and trade, safe, secure, gender friendly and facilitated movement of people and goods across the border, economic stabilization and sustainable development of the region” – these are just some of the expected results of the Construction of Palanca Border Crossing Point project launched today at a public event conducted in the Palanca village, Stefan Voda district.

”The Customs Service is engaged and dedicated totally for a successful implementation of this project, which is not limited only to construction, but also foresees the implementation of most performing mechanisms and tools for an efficient and performing joint control and inspection, as well as making available the most advanced practices based on experience and support from the EU. I am totally convinced that the most important issues here is that all our undertakings will benefit first of all the citizens that will be the main beneficiaries of the investments from the UE and Government of Moldova.”, Tudor Balitchi, Director General of Customs Service, mentioned in his address.

The Construction of Palanca Border Crossing Point Project will be implemented during January 2015 – December 2018 with a budget totalling 5 million EURO financed by the European Union and co-financed by the Government of Moldova. The project will be implemented in two stages: technical design and construction works.

”The European Union assistance to the Republic of Moldova in the area of integrated border management according to the EU standards and norms shall permit among others to accelerate the traffic flow and enhance cooperation among the two countries’ agencies responsible for border control due to simplified border crossing procedures. Carrying out activities “under one roof” gives the opportunity for the border control agencies (border police/guards and customs agencies) and other relevant authorities (veterinary, phyto - sanitary agencies) to raise the level of trust and to come to a common understanding more quickly, thus improving the services ”, Pirkka Tapiola, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, asserted.

The Palanca Border Crossing Point will be built according to all relevant norms and regulations and international best practices in the area of border crossing facilities. For this matter an international expert in the area will be contracted to provide the necessary support and observe the quality and timeliness of the works.

“It is my honour and pleasure to represent the UN system in Moldova and the United Nations Development Program, which in partnership with the EU and the Government of Moldova is implementing this important infrastructure project. The project will establish a modern jointly operated border crossing point, which will: facilitate rapid and secure exchange of information on persons, vehicles and goods; provide high quality services; enable the expansion of the trade volume; improve the cooperation between Moldovan and Ukrainian counterparts and strengthen their collective efforts to fight corruption, smuggling and human trafficking. The Palanca cross border facility will be equipped with a modern infrastructure and will operate following the principles of Integrated Border Management.” stated Dafina Gercheva, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Moldova.  

Construction of Palanca Border Crossing Point Project is a four-year project (2015-2018) financed by the European Union with 4,5 million EURO, co-financed by Moldovan Government with 0,5 million EURO and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.