April 12, 2025
In the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickovski, and members of the both cabinets of the two respective governments, the joint border crossing point Hani i Elezit – Blace was inaugurated today.
This joint border crossing point Hani i Elezit – Blace is based on the “entry-entry” model, according to which citizens are checked only at the entrance to the host country, while data will be exchanged in real time through a common technological system. This model optimizes resources and increases capacities to cope with the growing influx of citizens. During 2024 alone, over five million citizens crossed the three border points between Kosovo and North Macedonia. This figure demonstrates the need for free and rapid movement of both citizens and goods.
Prime Minister Kurti described this project as an example of concrete and practical progress and a sign of increased trust between the two countries.
“The creation of joint points at the border crossings Hani i Elezit/Bllacë and Glloboqicë/Jazhincë are more than border infrastructure. They are new points of cooperation and service that connect our two countries even more and further strengthen our good neighborly relations,” stated Prime Minister Kurti.
Thus, with the new model, as the Prime Minister said, the border police of the two countries, systematized only at the entrance, will work side by side in the same spaces, optimizing resources and increasing capacities to cope with the increasing flow of citizens.
In his speech, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that this achievement is the result of close institutional cooperation expressed through joint meetings of the two governments, and at the same time a long-standing request of citizens from both sides of the border. With its implementation, waiting time will be reduced and it will contribute to the economic growth of our countries, trade exchange, strengthening security and the connection between our citizens.
Finally, he expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Mickovski, Deputy Prime Minister Mexhiti, Minister Toshkovski and the technical teams of North Macedonia, as well as Minister Sveçla, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to North Macedonia Florian Qehaja and Colonel of the Kosovo Police, Bunjaku, who contributed to the implementation of this agreement.
He also wished that this initiative would be accompanied by the speedy completion of two other vital projects, the Blace-Skopje highway and the Tetovo-Prizren tunnel, which will further strengthen the connection between citizens and businesses, and will increase mobility, cooperation and inter-state development.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, Xhelal Sveçla, expressed that the completion of today’s project is a reflection of our common aspirations for open, but secure borders. He emphasized that the Ministries of Interior of the two states enjoy excellent cooperation in the field of security, especially the police.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Hristijan Mickovski,
Honorable First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Izet Mexhiti,
Honorable Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Pance Toshkovski,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms. Emilija Rexhepi,
Honorable Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Xhelal Sveçla,
Honorable Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Representatives and Heads of State Institutions of our two countries,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Honorable Guests,
It is a pleasure that today, after a long period of commitment and dedication, we are inaugurating a project of particular importance for the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia.
The creation of joint points at the border crossings Hani i Elezit/Bllacë and Glloboqicë/Jazhincë is more than border infrastructure. They are new points of cooperation and service that connect our two countries even more and further strengthen our good neighborly relations.
Initiated in 2021, the new model of the joint border crossing point in Blace, based on the “entry-entry” principle, is an example of concrete and practical progress and a sign of increased trust between us. From now on, citizens will be checked only at the entrance to the host country, while data will be exchanged in real time through a common technological system.
This model will enable the border police to be deployed only at the entrance, optimizing resources and increasing capacities to cope with the growing influx of citizens. In 2024 alone, over five million citizens crossed the three border points between Kosovo and North Macedonia. This figure testifies to the connections between our people, but also to the need for free and rapid movement of both citizens and goods.
We are pleased that from now on, our police officers will work side by side in the same areas. This strengthens our partnership and cooperation in the field of security.
Our citizens on both sides of the border have been waiting for this achievement for years. Their expectations on both sides of the border will finally be reduced. And this will contribute to the economic growth of our countries, trade exchange and the connection between our citizens.
This project is the result of close institutional cooperation, expressed through joint meetings of our two governments. These meetings have created a concrete space for coordination and important agreements, such as the one in November last year in Prishtina on the implementation protocol.
I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Mickovski, Deputy Prime Minister Mexhiti, Minister Toshkovski and the technical teams of North Macedonia, as well as Minister Sveçla, Ambassador Qehaja and Colonel Bunjaku for their contribution to the implementation of this agreement.
I hope that this initiative will be accompanied by the speedy completion of the Blace-Skopje highway and the tunnel on the Tetovo-Prizren axis. Two vital projects that will further strengthen the connectivity between citizens and businesses, and will increase mobility, cooperation and interstate development.
Best wishes, congratulations, and thank you!
Last modified: April 14, 2025