PIROT – Representatives of the Serbia’s and Bulgaria’s border and public administrations met in Pirot on 24 July 2026 to discuss practical measures for facilitating traffic and improving operations at the Gradina–Kalotina crossing point.
The technical meeting focused on three closely connected areas: digital exchange of customs data, infrastructure improvements and stronger coordination among the authorities operating at the border.
The CEFTA and SEED+ project teams presented the state of play in implementing the SEED+ system between the customs authorities of Serbia and Bulgaria. The discussion followed the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two parties in February 2026 and considered the next steps needed to support the system’s implementation in Bulgaria. The findings will also contribute to the preparation of the Transport Community’s Annual Progress Report.
Participants also reviewed the current infrastructure situation and physical improvement needs at Gradina–Kalotina, together with available financing instruments and technical assistance. Particular attention was given to the CONNECTA technical assistance for preparing the modernisation project and to possible investments through the Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme.
A dedicated capacity-building session was organised in cooperation with the EU Customs Alliance for Borders (EUCAB), in line with the EUCAB–Transport Community–CEFTA cooperation on strengthening the capacities of border agencies.
The training covered inter-agency cooperation and coordination, integrated border management, risk assessment and border-crossing-point diagnostics. EUCAB experts presented the purpose and methodology of BCP diagnostics and their value as a management tool for operational planning. Participants also discussed the operational experience of BCP Kalotina, including infrastructure reconstruction, control capacity, available equipment and changing traffic dynamics following Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area.
The meeting concluded with a facilitated exchange on practical measures to strengthen inter-agency and cross-border coordination within the existing cooperation framework. Serbia’s and Bulgaria’s authorities discussed future development needs, the perspective of businesses using the crossing and possible areas for further technical support and exchange of experience.
