By Talha Ozturk and Eren Beksac
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – Kosovo and North Macedonia signed a protocol on Monday allowing citizens of both countries to use a common border gate beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
The decision was made following a joint Cabinet meeting in Pristina, Kosovo's capital.
Following the leaders' bilateral and joint Cabinet meetings, a protocol for the country's two land border crossings, as well as energy and education agreements, were signed.
Later, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said at a joint press conference that the agreement aims to facilitate the free movement of citizens from both countries at border crossings.
"Police officers will work in the same building, facilitating border crossings, thus reducing waiting times and facilitating the movement of citizens," said Kurti.
North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the agreement.
"This way, there will be no chaos at the border gates, no inconvenience at the crossings, there will be one border control, and passengers’ movement will be accelerated," said Mickoski.
Mickoski remarked that the Western Balkans' future lies in the European Union.