On December 19, a service zone was opened at the temporary entry/exit checkpoint Kalanchak (Kherson region). It was created for a comfortable crossing of the administrative border with the occupied Crimea, as well as providing administrative and transport services for citizens.

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba opened the service zone. "This is a symbolic place, one side of which is the free space where European democracy is being built, where the State cares for and protects the citizen; and the other side - the Russian World. Kalanchak is now a much more comfortable area than the border checkpoint of the invaders because Ukraine has opened it with respect for the person, his/her dignity, for comfort. Things like this service area are a clear demonstration of how our country is changing and becoming a European State. Residents of the peninsula will notice positive changes on the mainland - this will make it easier for us to return Crimea," the Deputy Prime Minister said during the ceremony.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that this checkpoint and service area are temporary and that once the peninsula is unoccupied, their functions will no longer be needed.

Together with Dmytro Kuleba, the opening ceremony was attended by Head of Kherson Regional State Administration Yurii Gusev, the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Anton Korynevych, head of the Southern Regional Department of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Serhii Mul, the Deputy Head of Kherson Regional State Administration Serhii Kozyr, head of the Azov-Black Sea Interregional Department of the State Border Service of Ukraine Volodymyr Bondar, acting head of the Customs Service of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine in Kherson Region, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol Hennadii Ivanenko.

Background

While introducing Kherson RSA Head at Chonhar checkpoint on July 13, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the establishment of service centers with bus terminals and centers for the administrative services provision (CASPs) at Chonhar and Kalanchak checkpoints should be completed by December 20. The construction of the new entry/exit checkpoints began on September 20, 2019. Chonhar and Kalanchak entry/exit checkpoints started operating on November 15, 2019.

Kalanchak checkpoint servicer zone includes a bus terminal, resting places for travelers and drivers, the CASP for providing primary legal assistance, a consulting point, a Passport service center, shops, cafes, etc.

The through-flow rate at the service zone is 1,000 people per day and the area length is 100 m.

The CASP, which has been opened at Kalanchak checkpoint, will provide 37 services for residents of the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, as well as the settlements of Kalanchak district adjacent to the checkpoint. These include passport services, various real estate and business registration services. This list will be expanded later (it is planned to add social services, services of the State GeoCadastre, etc.).