Chisinau greenlights legal framework for strategic Nistru river crossing
The Moldovan Government approved the legal framework for a new international border crossing point between Cosăuți and Yampil on March 11. This strategic hub, connecting northern Moldova to Ukraine’s Vinnytsia region, aims to secure logistical corridors and bypass the breakaway Transnistrian territory.
Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin emphasized that the protocol establishes the necessary legal basis for an international-status crossing. The facility is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and stimulate bilateral trade by providing a direct route for both citizens and freight.
“This crossing will streamline logistics, bolster bilateral commerce, and support citizen mobility,” Minister Misail-Nichitin stated during the cabinet meeting. She noted that the project remains a top priority for regional security and border management.
Infrastructure and connectivity
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu recalled that the agreement for the Cosăuți-Yampil bridge was finalized during his recent visit to Kyiv. To support the project, Moldova will begin constructing 26 kilometers of access roads this year, according to Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Bolea.
Under the bilateral agreement, Ukraine will manage the access infrastructure on its side and install a pontoon bridge across the Nistru River. This temporary solution ensures immediate road connectivity while the broader regional infrastructure stabilizes.
Economic context and resilience
The project was originally envisioned as a permanent bridge with an estimated cost of €100 million (approx. 1.95 billion MDL). While initial works began in 2022, the war in Ukraine and subsequent funding shifts led to the current pragmatic adaptation.
The new border point is now viewed as a critical asset for the "Solidarity Lanes," ensuring that Moldova remains a key partner in European-Ukrainian logistics and regional stability.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
