Tirana, 18 February 2026 (MIA) - Current infrastructure projects along Corridor VIII, challenges in their realization and the need for enhanced political attention and coordination were in the focus of ministerial meeting "Corridor VIII at Europe’s Strategic Moment: Connectivity, Resilience through Military Mobility, and Shared Prosperity through Integration," held in Tirana on Wednesday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski took part at the meeting, alongside his counterparts from host Albania, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania.

Ministers agreed that Corridor VIII should function as a single cross-border system, not a series of separate national projects that stop at the next state border. They noted that the corridor is a strategic link between the Adriatic and Black seas, an element of resilience and strength amid the present geopolitical context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said in a press release.

In his remarks, Minister Mucunski highlighted the importance of full inclusion of all stakeholders, noting that Italy's role as a key factor on the Adriatic Sea and Romania on the Black Sea is essential in Corridor VIII becoming a true European link.

Mucunski said North Macedonia - the corridor's central point - is fully committed to its realization, while highlighting the recent signing of the agreement on a cross-border railway tunnel with Bulgaria. The first railway section in the country's east has been completed, the second is currently in construction, while the third is in the pipeline. In the road segment, the objective is to have a highway link from Kjafasan to Deve Bair by 2029.

Meeting participants also noted that the corridor has an energy dimension as well, while adding the importance of harmonized procedures, border management and trade facilitation, in order to ensure efficient standards. In addition, emphasis was placed on the use of European financial instruments, such as the Connecting Europe Facility.

Interlocutors agreed that focus in the coming period should be put on the realization of sustainable projects, coordinated cross-border implementation, and balanced intensity of realization along the Corridor VIII route, reads the press release.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade