PRISTINA/KURŠUMLIJSKA BANJA – Improving transport facilitation and customs procedures in the Western Balkans were in the focus this week as regional and EU partners gathered for two key meetings. Both, the 19th Meeting of the Technical Committee for Transport Facilitation in Pristina and the Workshop on Border Crossing Point Project Preparation in Kuršumlijska Banja focused on advancing the Green Lanes initiative and strengthening transport connectivity.
Held on 26 February in Pristina, the 19th Meeting of the Technical Committee for Transport Facilitation brought together representatives from the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, the European Commission, CEFTA, and the Western Balkan regional partners. They discussed the next steps for the Green Lanes initiative following the EU-Western Balkans Summit, with a focus on financing possibilities, national plans, and priorities for 2025.
A key point of discussion was the recently adopted Action Plan for Transport Facilitation, outlining milestones planned for the current year. Additionally, participants explored the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), particularly for coach operators. The meeting concluded with updates from observing participants and final remarks on future actions.
Following the Technical Committee meeting, on 27 February, experts and authorities convened in Kuršmlijska Banja for a two-day workshop dedicated to preparing crossing point project proposals. With the EU’s strong support for the Green Lanes initiative and technical fiches prepared for 11 priority crossings points, the workshop equipped the authorities with the tools to develop concrete project applications.
The event welcomed experts from CONNECTA and CELBET to guide participants through the process of project documentation preparation. The workshop featured two main working sessions: one focused on infrastructure elements of crossing points led by CONNECTA, and the other on equipment requirements led by CELBET.
Participants, including representatives from customs administrations, border police, and transport ministries, are working in groups to develop project proposals based on identified needs. The final day will feature presentations on the proposed projects and discussions on next steps, showcasing continued progress toward modernising crossing points and facilitating more efficient transport across the region, in line with the EU integration priorities.
