Skopje, 5 June 2025 (MIA) - This is not just the beginning of an infrastructure project, but the realization of a shared vision – a vision rooted in regional cooperation, European integration and the lasting partnership between our two countries, said Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski on Thursday who, together with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Livanios; the EU Ambassador to the country Michalis Rokas; and representatives of the municipalities participated in an event on establishing a border crossing between Greece and North Macedonia in the Prespa Lake area.

The event marked the beginning of the BorPres2 stage of the project, which ultimately aims to establish a new border crossing between Markova Nova (North Macedonia) and Lemos (Greece).

The project, valued at over 7.7 million euros, is 80 percent funded through the EU’s IPA 3 program. It includes plans for the renovation of the existing police station on the Macedonian side of the border, the construction of a new building for customs and police control on the Greek side, and the development of a cross-border pedestrian pathway between the villages of Brajchino and Agios Germanos to promote ecotourism.

Partners in the project include the Interior Ministries of North Macedonia and Greece, the Western Macedonia region in Greece, and the municipalities of Resen and Prespa. 

"Today, we mark the beginning of the BorPres2 project and lay the foundations for the future opening of the Markova Noga - Lemos border crossing. Over the years, the relationship between our countries has grown stronger – based on mutual respect, practical cooperation, and a deepened sense of shared destiny. This new border crossing is a powerful expression of that relationship. It is a concrete demonstration of political will, technical capability, and our shared understanding that in today’s Europe, borders should connect rather than divide," Minister Toshkovski stressed.

Toshkovski underscored that progress would not have been possible without the EU’s unwavering support through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) and the Cross-Border Cooperation Program, “which,” he said, “provided the necessary funding, technical expertise, and the opportunity to draw strength from the collective European goal where connectivity, cooperation, and integration are vital pillars of peace and prosperity”. 

“Europe’s strength lies in its unity and in the bridges we build across borders – not in the walls we raise between us. Through the BorPres2 project, we are transforming that goal into a practical, measurable impact. This project is proof that European integration is not a distant aspiration – it is a living process, rooted in tangible results: better roads, secure borders and an improved quality of life for the citizens we serve,” Toshkovski stressed.

The project began on February 14, 2025, and is planned to last for 36 months, with completion set for February 13, 2028. 

According to the Interior Ministry, Minister Toshkovski also held a bilateral meeting with Minister Theodoros Livanios, where they discussed mutual cooperation and possible solutions for the faster flow of passengers and goods at the Bogorodica - Evzonoi border crossing. The ministers expressed their commitment to further building bridges of cooperation that will connect people, nations, and economic and cultural collaboration. 

Photo: Interior Ministry