Belgrade, 9 May 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski and his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dačić signed Friday in Belgrade a bilateral agreement on setting up joint controls at the Tabanovce-Presevo border crossing, through implementation of a one-stop system for the purpose of faster transport of people, increased trade and tourism.

"I am pleased that we signed the agreement, based on which our two countries will carry out joint control at the Tabanovce-Presevo border crossing, enabling faster flow of people, commodities and services. After the agreement's signing and ratification, we will start the testing stage and hope that we can put the system into operation by the start of the summer season," said Minister Toshkovski.

Toshkovski highlighted the excellent cooperation with the Serbian police in countering all forms of crime and added that the project on exchange of Serbian police officers from Serbia in Ohrid and Macedonian officers in Serbia would continue in 2025.

Minister Dačić said the agreement would facilitate the crossing of borders for citizens and commodities.

"We are establishing a new process aimed at simplifying the entire procedure of border checks, with police officers of the host-country tasked with carrying out the border control of their own country and the exit control of the neighboring country. This is what the one-stop system is all about," said Dačić.

He noted that the cooperation between the countries' ministries of interior is good and would continue to develop in other segments, such as joint operations during the summer.

"Last year, four of our police officers carried out joint patrols in Ohrid and it is important that we continue to do this. Officers from North Macedonia would also come here to patrol during certain events that host nationals from the neighboring country, such as the Exit festival," said Dačić.

He also recalled on other activities of the two ministries, such as the joint participation in regional organizations such as the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) and the Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI), as well as the collaboration against irregular migration.

"According to official data, there has been a 40-percent drop in illegal crossings in the first four months of 2025, compared to the same period last year. Therefore, we will continue cooperation in this field," said Dačić and expressed readiness for cooperation in emergencies, such as wildfires.

The one-stop system was recently implemented at the Blace-Elez Han border crossing with Kosovo as well, and the same will follow with Albania. 

Photo and video: MoI