Skopje, 12 January 2024 (MIA) - Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Bekim Rexhepi and Kosovo Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Liburn Aliu signed Friday a Co-financing Agreement for the construction of a tunnel of the Tetovo-Prizren road.

The construction of the 6.4km long tunnel will connect North Macedonia and Kosovo. Feasibility study showed that the most optimal route is the one that starts from Tetovo through Popova Shapka, Brodec and ends in Veshala village near Tetovo, where through the tunnel will connect with Kosovo, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said in a press release.

Deputy Minister Rexhepi stressed that the infrastructure project will strengthen economic cooperation with Kosovo.

"The connection with Kosovo will be made through a tunnel, for which both countries signed an agreement today. We chose the most optimal solution because it cuts through the Popova Shapka ski center, which is a huge advantage for the development and increase of tourism for the region," Rexhepi said.

State Roads director Ejup Rustemi informed that for this purpose another 17km of road will have to be built on the Tetovo-Prizren connection.

"The joint tunnel will be part of Corridor 8, and we are improving road infrastructure between the neighboring countries in the region and between Skopje, Tirana and Prishtina," said Rustemi.

Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski emphasized that they are currently working on North Macedonia's regional connection with all its neighbors.

Kosovo Environment Minister Aliu pointed out that Kosovo is already working on the road that should connect with North Macedonia.

The two delegations, the press release adds, held a bilateral meeting where they confirmed the good cooperation and stressed the importance of joint efforts for faster European integration of the region. ssh/sk/

Photo and video: Ministry of Transport and Communications