GEVGELIJA – Officials from Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece gathered on 3 October 2025 in Gevgelija for the Trilateral Technical Workshop on Border Crossing Facilitation, focusing on strengthening cooperation and efficiency at key border crossing points (BCPs). The workshop was hosted by the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community and CEFTA Secretariat, with contributions from the European Commission and the World Bank.
The event brought together representatives from customs, transport and road administrations, border police, veterinary and phytosanitary inspections, as well as officials from regional offices and the Embassy of Greece in North Macedonia. It follows recent high-level discussions, including the EU–Western Balkans Summit (December 2024) and the EU Ambassadors–Western Balkans Sherpas meeting (September 2025), where political support was reaffirmed for the Green Lanes initiative and the Transport Community’s Next Generation Action Plan on transport facilitation.
Discussions centred on several strategic crossings, including Bogorodica/Evzoni and Kakavia/Kakvia, both identified as priority border points for EU-funded modernisation. The Kjafasan/Qafethane crossing was also highlighted, as part of the intra-CEFTA Green Lanes programme, along with additional road BCPs (Kapshtice–Krystalopigi, Medžitlija–Niki, Bllade–Blato) and the rail BCP Gevgelija–Idomeni.
Participants reviewed ongoing efforts to expand data exchange among border agencies through the SEED+ system, align working hours of inspection services to minimise bottlenecks, enhance inter-agency cooperation, including synchronised and joint controls, and identify infrastructure and equipment needs and coordinate investment plans.
The meeting had several key outcomes, including the conclusion that the SEED system has proven effective at Bogorodica/Evzoni, with earlier challenges resolved. Authorities from North Macedonia and Greece agreed to explore extending the system to additional crossings, including Medžitlija–Niki and the Gevgelija–Idomeni rail point. On customs cooperation, Albania and Greece were encouraged to finalise their MoU on pre-arrival data exchange in time for signature at the EU–Western Balkans Summit in December 2025.
When it comes to the one-stop controls, efforts to implement the one-stop system at Qafethane/Kjafasan were reviewed. While construction on the side of North Macedonia is completed, Albania’s works are expected by the end of 2025. The parties committed to intensifying coordination to enable smooth functioning once infrastructure is ready.
All three parties shared updates on modernisation projects at BCPs, with a call from the Transport Community to consolidate these plans and share them with the European Commission and the World Bank.
Albania and Greece confirmed alignment of customs hours, with Albania proposing to extend inspection service hours on the Greek side at Kakavia and Kapshtice. Veterinary and phytosanitary services were encouraged to revisit their schedules for greater consistency.
Participants also noted Serbia and North Macedonia’s agreement on mutual recognition of truck weighing and recommended extending this practice regionally. The use of pre-arrival data from TRACES to streamline veterinary and phytosanitary checks was also supported.
The workshop confirmed the shared commitment of Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece to accelerate border facilitation, reduce waiting times, and strengthen regional and EU connectivity. Participants agreed to review and update the working hours of all relevant services and to adopt “soft measures” aimed at cutting delays ahead of the next summits.
The trilateral cooperation builds on the momentum of the Green Lanes initiative, paving the way for more efficient trade flows and smoother movement of people and goods between the Western Balkans and the European Union.
