Information about the new Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia on border crossings, which should be signed soon after several years of negotiations, caused enormous attention, especially in the Krajina and border areas.
It is a document that defines the status and categories of all border crossings between the two countries, which was last adopted in 2013.
According to the published information, the new agreement brings significant changes that could facilitate the movement of people and goods, but also change the current organization of traffic on the border.
More crossings of the first category
According to the representative in the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Amir Purić, the new Agreement foresees an increase in the number of border crossings. first category (BCP/BIP) from the previous two to a total of five. Among them should be the Izačić-Ličko Petrovo Selo border crossing, which is especially important for exporters from the Una-Sana Canton, because their routes would be shortened and transport costs would be reduced.
EU rules also bring infrastructural obligations
According to EU Regulation 2017/625, crossings of the first category must have an appropriate infrastructure within the borders of a member state of the European Union.
This means that Croatia will have to build additional capacities on its side of the border so that the Izačić crossing can get full status and be functional for goods traffic under inspection supervision.
Big changes for USK: Zagrad and Hadžin Potok
The greatest effects of the new agreement are expected in the Una-Sana Canton.
Hadžin Potok is moving from the category of occasional to permanent border crossing for passenger traffic
Zagrad gets the status of a permanent crossing for the first time, which could relieve the GP Maljevac-Velika Kladuša
Although these changes are considered a relief for the majority of citizens, part of the population expresses concern that the new regime could make it more difficult for them to make daily local crossings.
At the same time, the issue of finally enabling the Gejkovac-Plazikur crossing, which according to the current agreements is already intended for border traffic, but is not yet operational due to lack of infrastructure, is being raised.
Tržačka Raštela still without full status
For the Tržačka Raštela border crossing, no agreement has yet been reached on raising the category to permanent passenger traffic.
The reason, as stated, is insufficiently developed road infrastructure, although there is a possibility that the Mixed Commission will make temporary decisions on the change of status in the future.
The decision goes to the highest level
After harmonization, the signing of the new Agreement requires the approval of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after which it can be formally signed by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
The implementation will also depend on the infrastructure projects, but also on the personnel capacities of the border police and the introduction of the EES system on the Croatian side.
A long process that lasts for years
Negotiations on the new agreement lasted more than five years, and it is a document that is usually changed once every ten years.
According to current information, the signing could take place at the beginning of next month, which makes this agreement one of the most important for the border areas in the last decade, writes Radio Sarajevo.
