Bulgaria sent clear political message over its commitment to Corridor 8 railway, says Nikoloski
Skopje, 14 March 2025 (MIA) – Minister of Transport and Communications Aleksandar Nikoloski said the Bulgarian government’s decision to repurpose funds for the reconstruction of the section from Sofia to Pernik and from Pernik to Radomir and railway from Sofia to Burgas to be built instead is a political message regarding their lack of commitment to constructing a railway along Corridor 8.
“Letters have been sent to the European delegation, the European Transport Community and to the European Investment Bank and EBRD after the Bulgarian government said yesterday it hadn’t singled out funding for the railway that should connect Sofia and Skopje through Corridor 8,” Nikoloski said Friday, adding “the propaganda against the government, PM Mickoski and against me has fallen through.”
The country signed agreements for a loan in amount to EUR 350 million for the reconstruction. If it’s not used, he said, the country would have to pay penalties not because it is our fault, it will be because of the neighbouring country. “We have to protect the financial interest of the country.”
“Our country remains strongly committed to constructing Corridor 8 railway. At the moment, construction works have been intensified on the second 34-kilometer section from Beljakovce to the town of Kriva Palanka,” Nikoloski told members of the media.
“On January 17, we put into operations the first section from Kumanovo to Beljakovce and we remain committed to the dialogue with Bulgaria in order to find a joint technically acceptable solution involving a tunnel, that should connect the two countries to build a third section. We believe Corridor 8 is of great importance not only for Macedonia, but also for the entire region and for Europe as well. It is the second most important corridor to NATO,” said Nikoloski.
We hope the dialogue will continue, said the transport minister noting that the government has set up a high-level taskforce. “We expect to see the same level of commitment from Bulgaria in order to connect Sofia and Skopje,” Nikoloski stated.
Photo/video: MIA
