North Macedonia and Serbia on Friday launched a joint border control system at the Tabanovce–Preševo crossing to speed up the flow of passengers and goods during the busy summer travel season.
Interior ministers Panče Toškovski of North Macedonia and Ivica Dačić of Serbia marked the start of the “One Stop Control” system by signing a protocol outlining joint border procedures. Under the new system, travellers will undergo a single document check by officers from both countries at one control point, eliminating the need for two separate stops.
“We are confident this will significantly reduce waiting times and facilitate a faster transfer of passengers across the border,” said Toškovski at the launch event. “Alongside the protocol for joint border checks, we signed a cooperation agreement allowing for the mutual deployment of police officers at tourist sites during the summer and winter seasons.”
The two countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in times of emergency, including wildfires and other crises, following joint efforts during last year’s fire season.
Dačić explained that host country officers would now be authorised to conduct both entry and exit checks on behalf of the neighbouring state. He added that the Tabanovce–Preševo crossing experiences heavy congestion during holiday periods and that the new system aims to ease the burden.
“Our cooperation is excellent, and we intend to strengthen it further, especially in emergency response,” said Dačić, recalling Serbia’s assistance in last year’s firefighting efforts in North Macedonia.
Dačić also noted improved results in combating illegal migration, highlighting that the Serbia–North Macedonia border remains the most active route. “In the first six months of this year, illegal crossings dropped by 26% compared to the same period in 2024,” he said, pledging continued enforcement.
Both ministers acknowledged poor infrastructure at the nearby Lojane–Miratovac crossing and committed to further investments.
“I am not satisfied with the current state of infrastructure at that border point, and I believe both countries must do more to address the needs of our citizens,” Toškovski said.
Dačić agreed, stating that recent assessments pointed to weak implementation and that improvements would be prioritised in the coming period.