Since 22nd December 2009 Serbia is officially a pre-accession country for the European Union (EU). An important step to reach is aim is the setup of a state-of-the-art ID infrastructure with latest technology and a highest level of security. After the introduction of new ID cards and ePassports, the first electronic border crossing gate, called eGate, was opened this week at Beograde Airport by the Serbian Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Ivica Dačić.

By implementing this eGate, Serbia starts a test phase for fully automatic border control processes at their airports. The gate was supplied by Muehlbauer Group, who delivered already the turnkey solutions for the countrywide ID card and ePassport project in 2007 and 2008. The gate itself is one of the first eGates worldwide, able to read-out biometric fingerprints, which are secured by the European EAC (extend access control) standard. Serbian citizens can use this gate with their new passport to pass the border control without presenting their ID document to a border official.

"Muehlbauer Group is pleased to support Serbia in attaining a new level of technology and know-how with regards to a modern and secure ID infrastructure. Due to this eGate, Serbia is one of the first countries worldwide that uses a fully automated border crossing solution with secure biometric fingerprint verification." Bojan Stojadinovic, General Manager of MUEHLBAUER D.O.O, located in Serbia, stated.