site.btaRegional Development Minister: Klepalo Border Crossing between Bulgaria, N Macedonia Declared Site of National Importance

The future Strumyani - Berovo border crossing point, which will connect Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, has been declared an object of national importance, caretaker Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Shishkov announced Wednesday during a briefing at the Council of Ministers.

The agreement for the construction of the checkpoint dates back to 1999, it is part of a Cross-border Cooperation Programme, and Bulgaria is currently making efforts to develop the project, Shishkov noted.

He clarified that declaring the checkpoint a site of national importance will facilitate the procedures related to the Spatial Development Act, and hence will help ensure that there is no delay in the construction of this infrastructural facility.

Shishkov added that no freight traffic will pass through the checkpoint, but only vehicles with a mass of up to 3.5 tonnes and cars. "It will have a regional character," Shishkov said.