Skopje, 26 August 2025 (MIA) -- The Ministry of Transport is continuing its intense efforts to complete construction works on the Corridor VIII railway to Bulgaria, the government said in a press release Tuesday.

"After the high-level meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski and Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov and subsequent meetings between workgroups from both countries, concrete steps have been made toward the third phase of the construction works on the rail from Kriva Palanka to the Bulgarian border, including a tunnel at the border," the release said.

"As part of these activities, the government at its session earlier today decided to activate the agreement for 3.7 million euro technical assistance grant from the European Investment Bank," the release said.

A consultant will be hired to draft new project documentation and a tender notice will be published for potential contractors to submit bids for the project.

"To speed up the activities, the Public Enterprise for Railway Infrastructure will begin the selection procedure for construction auditors," the release said, adding that this demonstrated the government's firm commitment to strategic national infrastructure projects.

"Building and modernizing the railway network is the government's priority," the release said, also recalling the Ministry of Transpor's initiative to build a high speed rail on Corridor X.

Modernizing the local railway system is important for the entire region as well as for the country itself as it will improve regional connections, boost economic development and open up new markets for domestic companies, the release said. mr/