The European Union (EU) warned the Macedonian government that the funds for Corridor 8 cannot be diverted to other projects and transport corridors, BGNES reported.
Brussels is closely monitoring the tender in North Macedonia for the railway line to Bulgaria and calls for all important decisions to be taken after consultation with the bloc, according to the position of the EU delegation in Skopje.
"The EU, together with other financial supporters of the construction project of Corridor 8, which is of utmost importance, is closely monitoring the tender process. North Macedonia is a party to the agreement, responsible for the tender process. The evaluation continues after the submission of bids. We strongly encourage compliance with applicable procedures and standards and consultation with all relevant stakeholders on such important issues," the Union delegation told "Telma".
Brussels supports Skopje in the completion of this "project that is of great importance for the country, its citizens and the entire region". The EC warns that the funds for Corridor 8 cannot be used for other directions.
"The financial allocation for this project consists of a combination of a significant grant from the EU and pooling of funds from the EIB and the EBRD. This financial support is intended exactly for this procedure and project. Any other use is not foreseen," the position emphasizes.
BGNES reminds that Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski announced that he was the victim of a bribery attempt exactly in this tender procedure for the selection of a contractor.
In recent weeks, Mickoski and his ministers have called for the transfer of funds from Corridor 8 to Corridor 10. The European transport Corridor 10 runs from northwest to southeast and connects Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia and Hungary with Greece and Bulgaria.
The Macedonian government claims that the connection with Belgrade and Thessaloniki is more important for the economy of North Macedonia, in contrast to the route Burgas-Durës (Albania). The last one is part of NATO's mobility corridor, but the government in Skopje consider it a botched investment. And in the latest EC report on the country, it was emphasized that the construction of Corridor 8 should be accelerated urgently.
The Minister of Transport Alexander Nikoloski soon said that the railway route is too expensive and costs about 20 million euros per kilometer, and Bulgaria does not even have a finished project - a statement that was refuted by documents from the Bulgarian side.
Nikolovski also announced the withdrawal of the members of the Commission for the construction of the third phase of the railway line with Bulgaria. I BGNES
