2024-07-31 05:58:54
For the successful implementation of Corridor 8, it is particularly important that the Republic of Bulgaria is fully ready for cooperation. This is stated in a message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia.
“The Republic of North Macedonia is strongly committed to achieving the goals set within the framework of NATO and through the creation of regional infrastructure, as part of the European network of corridors, which aim to increase economic influence and facilitate trade and transport in the region” , the message also says.
Considering the geopolitical situation of transport corridors 8 and 10, the Republic of North Macedonia undertakes all necessary activities for their completion and modernization. In the field of road infrastructure, this year the construction of the expressway from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka is completed, and through the completed rehabilitation of the road from Kriva Palanka to the border with the Republic of Bulgaria, which represents a total investment of 105 million euros, they will create a new modern road solution that will significantly affected the exchange of goods and services, as well as increasing economic cooperation between the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Skopje specified.
The message mentions the rehabilitation of the section of the Skopje – Kumanovo road, which, according to estimates, reduces the travel time on the Skopje – Sofia route.
“Regarding the railway corridor 8, the Republic of North Macedonia is aware of the geostrategic importance of this road corridor and as a state is implementing numerous activities for regional connectivity and completion of the West-East axis. In this context, we emphasize that the construction of the railway line from Kumanovo to Belyakovce is in the implementation phase, which represents an investment of 40 million euros. At the same time, we point out that the construction of the railway line from Belyakovce to Kriva Palanka, an investment worth 155 million euros, is in the implementation phase. In addition, we are in the stage of a tender procedure for the selection of a contractor for the construction of the last section from Kriva Palanka to the Deve Bair border crossing, a railway line that ends in an alleged tunnel. The Republic of North Macedonia has assumed and fulfilled all obligations from the Bilateral Agreement of 1993 for the construction of the border crossing Berovo – Klepalo, as well as the infrastructure to the border crossing,” the announcement says.
In it, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade notes that “for the successful implementation of such projects, it is particularly important for the Republic of Bulgaria to be fully ready for cooperation” and they express the expectation that Bulgaria will take all the necessary actions in terms of “improving the infrastructure of Corridor 8, as well as to fulfill the obligations arising from the Bilateral Agreement of 1993 on the construction of the Berovo – Klepalo border crossing”.
“The construction of road and rail infrastructure in regional frameworks will only be successful if all countries along Corridor 8 continuously carry out joint activities for their development and modernization. This is our long-term commitment, on which we are working diligently and expect an equal degree of cooperation and constructiveness from the other participating parties in this process,” said the announcement, quoted by BTA.