Gostivar, 3 May 2025 (MIA) - A cornerstone laying ceremony was held Saturday for the Tetovo-Gostivar motorway expected to be completed in 2027. The 17.5 kilometer-long motorway is projected to cost EUR 90 million. 

“As a country that has no access to sea, we were thinking what Macedonia’s advantage could be in the region, but also beyond. We concluded that as a country, we are perhaps the only ones to have the potential to be a part of three pan-European corridors. This is the first one, Corridor VIII which connects the Ionian and Adriatic seas with the Black Sea, the second is Corridor X which connects this part of Europe with Central Europe, and Corridor XI which is in our eastern neighborhood. With a section that connects corridors X and XI we will become a country that is directly connected to all ports in this part of Europe and we will be a significant link in the southern flank of the biggest alliance in the world – NATO,” Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said at the event. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski said in his address that the country will have a motorway in two and a half years built in accordance with all standards and regulations. 

“In June 2024, when this Government was formed, a total of 560 parcels on three sections were expropriated, now, in April 2025 we have 2497 expropriated parcels. This means we are opening up a new front for work on section Gostivar-Tetovo 17.5 kilometers, Gostivar-Bukojchani 14.7 km, and Prilep-Bitola 29 km,” Nikoloski said. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Izet Mexhiti said through projects like this the Government is building a future and better conditions for all citizens. 

“We are building roads for our people. Corridor VIII is more than a road. It is a European artery that connects the Adriatic to the Black Sea, it links the heart of the Balkans. Our strategic decision is clear – Macedonia is completing its section and bringing Europe to the Balkans, and the Balkans to Europe. With the beginning of the construction of this road, we are transforming the Polog region into a crossroad of opportunities and investments, we are shortening the Skopje-Ohrid and Struga travel time, and we are bringing the Kjafasan border crossing [with Albania] closer,” Mexhiti said. 

The event was also addressed by the Ambassador of the United States, Angela Aggeler, and a representative of Bechtel-Enka in charge of the project, Josh Baker.