Ukraine offering Romania to open 5 new border checkpoints

MOSCOW. April 10 (Interfax) - Ukraine has offered Romania to open five new border checkpoints, Ukrainian media said, citing the press service for the Ukrainian Communities and Territories Development Ministry.

Deputy Communities and Territories Development Minister Sergei Derkach met with a Romanian delegation headed by Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry State Secretary Ionel Scriosteanu in Chernovtsy on Saturday. The sides agreed to launch a pilot project of a joint border checkpoint and to draft a plan for opening a checkpoint for cars and pedestrians, the ministry said.

They also agreed to allow large buses pass through the Dyakovtsy checkpoint once it is renovated. The renovation includes the opening of a separate lane for large buses, Derkach said.

"The opening of a new checkpoint, Belaya Tserkov - Sighetu Marmatiei, where the Romanian side has built a bridge and finalized over 65% of the work, is a priority, alongside the beginning of bus service through the Dyakovtsy-Racovat checkpoint. All of that is part of the strategy for border infrastructure development before 2030," Derkach said.

As reported, Ukraine and Romania are awaiting a decision of the tender committee of the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), where they have jointly filed for developing the Dyakovo-Halmeu checkpoint. Another priority is launching an additional ferry through the Orlovka-Isaccea checkpoint.