Zelensky discusses border checkpoint capacity with business community in Uzhgorod

MOSCOW. Oct 31 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has discussed the capacity of border checkpoints at a meeting with representatives of the business community in Uzhgorod, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Restoration Minister Alexei Kuleba said.

"It is an important issue for businessmen, this is why we are developing the network so that there are fewer queues on the border," Ukrainian media outlets quoted him as saying on a social network.

The Luzhanka checkpoint will soon be launched for traffic of empty trucks, and the only checkpoint with Hungary, Chop-Zakhon, will be relieved, Kuleba said.

In addition, the opening of a checkpoint for passenger transport, Velikaya Palad, is expected this year. The work with Hungary on this issue is underway now.

Terminals of the Uzhgorod checkpoint will also be rebuild to separate cargo and passenger transport to enable increasing the capacity for trucks by 30%, Kuleba said.

"We're simultaneously working to ensure the swift crossing of the border for the companies holding the status of joint transit subjects. It envisages the possibility of a priority in the eCherga system. We're expecting a relevant protocol to exchange information with our colleagues from the State Customs Service and will launch this opportunity in the eCherga system," he said.

The construction of a new large checkpoint, Belaya Tserkov, will start next year, and the Romanian side is already completing the construction of a bridge across the Tisza to launch this checkpoint, he said.