BANJA LUKA – Officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia met on 6 May 2025 in Banja Luka to discuss ways to improve the efficiency and infrastructure of two key crossings points – Gradiška/Stara Gradiška and Donji Svilaj/Svilaj.
This meeting follows the EU–Western Balkans Summit held in December 2024, where strong support was given to the Green Lanes initiative, a joint effort to speed up border procedures and strengthen trade and transport links between the Western Balkans and the European Union. The two border points discussed are among 11 priority crossings identified for future upgrades, with potential EU funding available for their modernisation.
Organised by the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, with participation from CEFTA, European Commission, and the World Bank, the meeting brought together representatives from the customs authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, as well as from the mentioned crossing points.
The meeting’s participants discussed the key topics such as ongoing legal and organisational challenges at the crossings points, current and future infrastructure and equipment needs, potential financing options for upcoming projects, better coordination between agencies on both sides of the border, and sharing data and aligning the working hours of various inspection services.
Improving the readiness and coordination of institutions was highlighted as a key factor in securing EU financial support and delivering visible results for citizens and businesses.
