Serbia and Montenegro have opened a joint rail border crossing. The facility is supposed to reduce travelling times for freight trains by at least an hour. It is located on the route towards the Montenegrin Port of Bar.

The border crossing facility is not located at the border of the two countries, but approximately 10 kilometres into Montenegro. The city of Bijelo Polje hosts the joint border crossing.

As a result of the opening, Serbia now no longer needs to conduct border controls on its territory. The new way of operating allows for the two countries to significantly speed up border procedures. Freight trains stand to save at least an hour each trip, while passenger traffic will see travelling times reduced by approximately 30 minutes.

Precondition for economic development

“Through the investment in railway infrastructure and better connectivity between the south and north of Montenegro, the implementation of this project creates the preconditions for the quality development of the entire economy”, commented Filip Radulović, Montenegro’s transport minister.

“Simplified procedures at border crossings lead to reduced travel times, thereby attracting freight flows and directing them towards the Port of Bar. By working together on such projects, we contribute to mutual development and the connectivity of economies and better connections with the EU countries”, he added.

EU financing

The European Union financed the construction of the joint rail border crossing. “This reconstructed facility will become a modern railway infrastructure in one place for cheaper, faster, and simpler border crossings”, said Riccardo Serri, deputy head of the EU’s delegation to Montenegro.

“The joint border crossing in Bijelo Polje belongs to the railway interconnection of the TEN-T Core Route 4 and will not only improve ties between the two countries and their peoples, but will also stimulate economic activities and trade across the border.”