Agreement on Integrated Crossing Management

Agreement within the framework of technical dialogue
Date of signing:
December 2, 2011 – Agreement on Integrated Crossing Management,
February 23, 2012 – Technical Protocol on the Implementation of the Agreement on Integrated Crossing Management.

Agreement status:
The agreement has been implemented to a large extent

Parties / delegations

Borko Stefanović
head of the Belgrade negotiating team

Robert Cooper
Chairman – EU facilitator

Edita Tahiri
Minister of Dialogue and head of the Kosovo * negotiating team

Officials

Boris Tadic
President of Serbia

Mirko Cvetkovic
Prime Minister of Serbia

Atifete Jahjaga
President of Kosovo *

Hashim Thaci
Prime Minister of Kosovo *

Background:

Although one party recognizes the line as a border, and the other as administrative boundary, that was not an obstacle to reach the Integrated Border Management Agreement, known as IBM Agreement.

The Agreement implied integration of the crossings between Kosovo and Serbia, by the parties gradually establishing joint integrated points at all common crossings, applying the IBM model. A balanced presence of relevant authorities of both parties would be ensured at integrated crossings (customs, police, etc.) as well as the EULEX presence. Pursuant to the Agreement, in joint facilities within the zone where officers from both sides would perform their duty, there would be no state symbol placed.
Also, it is envisaged that the implementation of this Agreement be monitored by an EU-led group.

Out of six crossings total (Jarinje, Merdare, Mutivode, Brnjak, Bela zemlja, Mučibaba), so far only the Mutivode and Merdare crossings have been completed. After the agreement on economic normalization was signed between Kosovo and Serbia (in Washington, 2020), the Serbian party agreed to reallocate its staff to a new facility, after almost nine years of delay.

The essential points of the agreement

Implemented to a large extent

Joint, integrated, single and safe points shall be situated in the common zone of IBM crossings, where officials from both sides shall performs certain duties.

Implemented

Balanced presence of police and customs.

Implemented

The parties shall not place the symbols of their jurisdiction at the crossings.

Partly implemented

Kosovo and Serbia shall build new permanent facilities / offices at the crossings, the European Commission shall examine the options for financial support.

Partly implemented

Both parties are committed to aligning their legislation, especially the IBM concept, to the EU acquis.

Partly implemented

The parties shall exchange information in order to prevent criminal activities.