Sofia, 15 April 2025 (MIA) - Bulgaria is fully prepared and willing to sign an agreement with North Macedonia and begin construction of the cross-border railway tunnel as soon as possible, said Transport and Communications Minister Grozdan Karadjov, BTA reports.

Minister Karadjov, Regional Development Minister Ivan Ivanov, and Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov presented Bulgaria’s Corridor 8 development plans to ambassadors of EU and NATO member states.

Karadjov noted that the tunnel between Bulgaria and North Macedonia is not just a physical connection between two countries but a key link for uninterrupted movement between the Adriatic and the Black Sea. According to him, Bulgaria is ready to begin construction of the missing 2.4 km stretch from Gyueshevo to the border, but the tunnel must be built first.

"We are awaiting a response from Skopje on the draft agreement, so that an expert-level meeting can be scheduled to discuss it. If there are no objections from North Macedonia, the agreement could be signed immediately," he added.

Minister Ivanov said the daily challenges that the Bulgarian government is facing demand attention and quick response, "but we must not lose focus on strategic goals that can elevate our countries to a new level."

"Corridor 8 is one such goal," said Ivanov and called for faster progress and a concentrated effort toward the project’s implementation.

Minister Zapryanov said the development of key infrastructure, including the railway link with North Macedonia, is of great importance and that tangible progress must be made in a short timeframe, while noting that military mobility is a priority for Bulgaria.

"Bulgaria supports further development of military mobility not only as a flagship NATO-EU cooperation project but also as a means to strengthen regional security through improved connectivity of the European contingent," said Zapryanov.

Minister of Transport and Communications Aleksandar Nikoloski said last month letters were sent to the European delegation, the European Transport Community and to the European Investment Bank and EBRD after the Bulgarian government said it hadn’t singled out funding for the railway that should connect Sofia and Skopje through Corridor 8.

The Bulgarian Transport Ministry denied the claims, saying Corridor VIII is a national priority for Bulgaria and stressing it had not postponed the construction of the railway line to North Macedonia.

Photo: BTA