The Republic of North Macedonia is strongly committed to advancing the objectives set in NATO's framework and to building regional infrastructure as part of the European network of corridors which aim to strengthen economic influence and facilitate trade and transport in the region, North Macedonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said in a statement.
Taking into account the geopolitical location of transport Corridors 8 and 10, the Republic of North Macedonia is taking all the necessary steps for their completion and modernization. In the field of road infrastructure, the construction of an expressway from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka is to be completed this year. Coupled with the completed rehabilitation of the road from Kriva Palanka to the border with the Republic of Bulgaria - a total investment of EUR 105 million, this will create a new modern road solution which will significantly impact the exchange of goods and services, and will boost economic cooperation between the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Skopje said.
The statement recalls the rehabilitation of the Skopje-Kumanovo road section, which is expected to reduce travel time between Skopje and Sofia.
"Regarding Railway Corridor 8, the Republic of North Macedonia is aware of the geostrategic importance of this transport corridor and, as a country, has implemented numerous activities for the regional connection and completion of the West-East axis. In this context, we note that the construction of the railway between Kumanovo and Beljakovce - an investment of EUR 40 million - is in the implementation phase. We also note that the construction of the railway from Beljakovce to Kriva Palanka - an investment of EUR 155 million - is in the implementation phase. Additionally, we are holding a tender to select a contractor for the construction of the last stretch, from Kriva Palanka to Deve Bair border checkpoint, which is supposed to end in a tunnel. The Republic of North Macedonia has assumed and fulfilled all obligations under the Bilateral Agreement of 1993 on the construction of the Berovo-Klepalo border checkpoint, as well as the infrastructure to it," the statement said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade noted that "it is of particular importance for the successful implementation of such projects to have full readiness for cooperation from the Republic of Bulgaria", and expressed an expectation that Bulgaria will take all the necessary steps towards "improving the infrastructure of Corridor 8, and will fulfil the obligations arising from the 1993 Bilateral Agreement on the construction of the Berovo-Klepalo border checkpoint".
"The construction of regional road and rail infrastructure will only be successful if all countries along Corridor 8 continuously carry out joint activities for its development and modernization. This is our long-term commitment, on which we have been working with dedication, and we expect the same degree of cooperation and constructiveness from the other countries involved in this process," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Skopje said.
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