Ukraine, Romania plan to open Belaya Tserkov- Sighetu Marmatiei border crossing before year-end

MOSCOW. Aug 7 (Interfax) - Ukraine and Romania plan to open the Belaya Tserkov-Sighetu Marmatiei border crossing before the end of 2025 using temporary infrastructure for cars, Ukrainian media quoted Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development Sergei Derkach as saying after a meeting with State Secretary of Romania's Transport Minister Ionel Scriosteanu.

"The construction of the new Belaya Tserkov- Sighetu Marmatiei border crossing is a priority. The contract on this work has been signed. Construction itself will take place in three stages. It's a large infrastructural project, which requires time and resources," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Derkach as saying on social media.

Among other agreements, he listed plans to synchronize ongoing efforts at Porubnoe-Siret, another major border crossing with Romania, in order to simultaneously complete the construction of lanes for trucks, a move which will help double the checkpoint's throughput capacity.

The parties also discussed the prospect of opening joint checkpoints, including one in the Chernovtsy region and the Zakarpattia region each, Derkach said. These border crossings will be intended for use both by cars and pedestrians, he said.

The latest joint plans include enabling large-capacity buses to freely pass through the Dyakovtsy-Rakovec border crossing, Derkach said.

"The next step is to formalize this decision without any limitations and on an indefinite basis, as well as allow empty trucks to use it. Romanian counterparts are considering this option. They will give us their feedback," he said.