Skopje, 29 June 2026 (MIA) - We have a clear vision for a complete overhaul of the railway sector. We inherited enterprises at the brink of bankruptcy, and now we have cargo transport that is registering serious growth, the number of passengers is on the rise, we are seeing large investments in the construction of new railroads, and the national railway company is at the core of the country's economy, said Deputy PM and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski on Monday.

Minister Nikoloski and the World Bank Country Manager Carole Megevand signed a grant agreement worth EUR 1 million, supporting reforms in Macedonian Railways-Transport, aimed at creating a functional enterprise.

The Deputy PM added the transformation of the railway sector is also part of the EU Growth Plan.

"This grant we are signing with the World Bank today is the launch of this project that will result in a comprehensive reform. In parallel, we will procure trains and renew the fleet," said Nikoloski.

He noted that the first line of the City Train is also nearing completion, with the second and third lines to be finished by the end of 2027 or the first half of 2028.

"The first section of the railway leading to the Bulgaria border is operational and we are actively working on the second part. In addition, there is an ongoing process of selecting the contractor for the third stage," said Nikoloski.

He added that the Corridor VIII west wing is also part of the Growth Plan, including the Skopje-Jegunovce-Tetovo-Gostivar line, followed by Gostivar-Kichevo and Kichevo-Ohrid-Struga-Albania border.

"If we add to this the Corridor X fast rail, with documents for this project already finalizing, then it is clear we have a vision for full transformation of the railway sector," said Nikoloski.

Photo: Ministry of Transport