Moldova and Romania Strengthen Cooperation to Accelerate Cross-Border Transport

The border and customs authorities of the Republic of Moldova and Romania have agreed to strengthen coordination along their shared border and extend the coordinated-control mechanism at the Leușeni–Albița crossing point.

A working meeting of the heads of the relevant agencies was held at the busiest road border crossing between the two countries. Participants assessed the operational situation, the effectiveness of joint controls and measures needed to reduce queues during the seasonal increase in passenger and vehicle traffic.

At some crossing points, traffic volumes are significantly higher than last year. In particular, around 30,000 people and more than 7,600 vehicles crossed through Sculeni on 1–2 August, approximately 40% more than during the same period in 2025.

The two sides agreed to improve the exchange of operational information, synchronise the work of border and customs services, make more efficient use of traffic lanes and deploy additional personnel during peak periods.

One of the key decisions was to extend the validity of the coordinated-control agreement at Albița–Leușeni from six months to one year. Under this model, Moldovan and Romanian checks are carried out consecutively at a single location on Romanian territory, reducing border-crossing times and eliminating duplicated procedures.

The mechanism has been in operation since 2023 and is regarded as an effective border-management model. In the future, the two countries plan to extend it to other Moldovan–Romanian border crossings.

Comment by the Institute of Danube Research

The development of coordinated control between Moldova and Romania is not merely a technical measure to reduce queues. It is also part of Moldova’s gradual integration into the European Union’s transport and customs area.

The growth in cross-border traffic reflects stronger economic and social ties, but it also exposes the limited capacity of existing infrastructure. A long-term solution therefore requires the modernisation of access roads, terminals, vehicle holding areas, digital queue-management systems and electronic customs-data exchange.

Extending the mechanism for one year increases its institutional stability and creates the conditions for a transition from an experimental arrangement to a permanent operational model.

For Ukraine, the modernisation of the Moldovan–Romanian border is also strategically important, as alternative routes through Moldova connect Ukrainian regions and ports with Romania and the EU internal market.

The development of border infrastructure between Moldova and Romania therefore strengthens the transport resilience of the entire Lower Danube region and expands the potential of the European Solidarity Lanes.