Albania and Montenegro have opened a new shared border crossing point (Zatrijebačka Cijevna – Grabon), thanks to which the distance between Podgorica and Gusinje can now be covered in less than an hour and a half through the Albanian territory. The crossing point, built with the financial support of the European Union, was inaugurated by the prime ministers of the two countries, Zdravko Krivokapić and Edi Rama. Its construction cost about €720,000, of which the EU contributed almost half a million euros.

Hermann Spitz, Head of Cooperation Section at the EU Delegation to Montenegro, said the border crossing was a wonderful symbol of EU cross-border programmes, designed to promote reconciliation and improve the lives of neighbours by creating jobs, fostering tourism and growth.

 “The best EU projects are those where we see instant, concrete gains for the people. This additional border crossing will increase the opportunities of contacts between the two countries’ populations. The European Union contributed with almost half a million euros towards its construction through our cross-border programme between Montenegro and Albania”, said Mr Spitz.

The joint implementation of border procedures by the police and customs authorities of Montenegro and Albania will help simplify and accelerate the crossing of the state border on a one-stop basis, use resources more rationally, reduce transport costs, improve cooperation between border services and enable more effective prevention and detection of all forms of cross-border crime.

Montenegro now has three shared border crossing points: two with Albania – including Sukobin – Muriqan, which opened in 2009, and one with Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely Vraćenovići – Deleuša, which opened in 2020.