"For the successful realization of Corridor 8 it is particularly important to have the full cooperation of the Republic of Bulgaria. We expect Bulgaria to take all necessary actions towards the improvement of the infrastructure of Corridor 8, as well as to fulfil the obligations arising from the 1993 Bilateral Agreement on the construction of the BCP Berovo - Klepalo."
This is what the Macedonian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, BGNES reports.
Just a day ago, the Macedonian prime minister said it was "madness for Skopje to spend money on Corridor 8."
BGNES published the full position of the Macedonian Foreign Ministry.
The construction of road and rail infrastructure in regional frameworks will only be successful if all the countries along Corridor 8 continuously undertake joint activities for their development and modernization.
This is our long-term commitment, on which we are working dedicatedly, and we expect the same degree of cooperation and constructiveness from the other countries involved in this process.
The Republic of North Macedonia is strongly committed to achieving the objectives set within the
NATO and with the creation of regional infrastructure as part of a European network of corridors that aim to strengthen economic influence and facilitate trade and transport in the region.
Considering the geopolitical position of transport corridors 8 and 10, the Republic of North Macedonia is undertaking all necessary activities for their completion and upgrading.
In the area of road infrastructure, this year saw the completion of the expressway from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka and the completion of the rehabilitation of the road from Kriva Palanka to the border with the Republic of Bulgaria, representing a total investment of EUR 105 million. The modern road solution will have a significant impact on the exchange of goods and services, as well as increasing economic cooperation between the two countries.
At the same time, we would like to remind you that previously we completely rehabilitated the Skopje-Kumanovo motorway section and with these investments we reduced the travel time on the Skopje-Sofia route to less than 2 hours and 30 minutes.
With regard to the railway corridor 8, the Republic of North Macedonia is aware of the geostrategic importance of this road corridor and, as a country, is implementing numerous activities for regional connection and completion of the West-East axis.
In this context, we underline that the construction of the railway line from Kumanovo to Belakovce is in the implementation phase, which represents an investment of EUR 40 million. At the same time, we point out that the construction of the railway line from Belakovce to Kriva Palanka, at a cost of EUR 155 million, is in the implementation phase. In addition, we are at the tender stage for the selection of a contractor for the construction of the last section from Kriva Palanka to the Deve Bair checkpoint, a railway line that ends in a supposed tunnel.
Also, the Republic of North Macedonia has assumed and fulfilled all the obligations of the 1993 bilateral agreement for the construction of the border crossing between Berovo and Klepalo, as well as the infrastructure at the border crossing.
Bearing in mind the above, we reiterate that the Republic of North Macedonia is undertaking all necessary activities for the construction of several major regional infrastructure projects, which are of shared strategic importance for the country, the region and the European Union. | BGNES
