Skopje, 18 August 2025 (MIA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski said Monday the construction of new motorways by the Bechtel-Enka consortium are proceeding in line with the planned dynamics, except for the Trebenishta-Kjafasan route, where works are halted due to remarks by UNESCO.

In an interview for Kanal 5 TV, Nikoloski stressed that despite a two-year delay, the Government has managed to launch tangible construction on the Tetovo-Gostivar, Gostivar-Bukojchani and Prilep-Bitola sections.

“The dynamic is proceeding according to plan, with a two-year delay, since nothing was built during those two years under the previous government. When we took office, almost no expropriation had been carried out. The initial commencement of work on Tetovo-Gostivar, Gostivar-Bukojchani and Prile-Bitola happened during the term of this Government, and now the pace is good and progressing well,” Nikoloski said.

In terms of the Trebenishta-Kjafasan section, Deputy PM Nikoloski said its construction is a part of the UNESCO report on the Ohrid region, although the region itself has not been placed under threat.

“The issue with Trebenishta-Kjafasan remains open, considering that the construction of this motorway and it was officially in the UNESCO report on the Ohrid region, although the Ohrid region itself was not placed in danger, this issue remained a part of the report,” he said. 

MIA file photo