Skopje, 17 October 2024 (MIA) – The government is strongly committed to constructing a new rail network in the country. Taking into consideration the overall economic development and regional connectivity, and in the spirit of the EU integration process and the need for modernization and completing the construction of European transport corridors, it also remains fully committed to constructing the eastern stretch of Corridor VIII railway. This is in fact confirmed by the continuing process of construction of the first and second stage of the Corridor VIII railway.

This was the position of the Macedonian delegation, including Stefan Volkanovski, State Secretary at the Ministry of Transport, and Sinisha Ivanovski, Director of Railway Infrastructure, which held a working meeting yesterday in Brussels, mediated by the EU, with officials of the Bulgarian government, led by the deputy transport minister. It focused on talks on railway connection between the two countries, said the Transport Ministry on Thursday.

“Macedonia is not quitting constructing a railway towards Bulgaria, but it cannot accept the implementation of a project ending in a tunnel for which Bulgaria doesn’t have a project and where it is not certain that activities are made for rail connection,” the Macedonian delegation members stressed. The only condition acceptable for Macedonia to implement this project is if Bulgaria starts a project on a tunnel pipe and both countries, Macedonia and Bulgaria, do a joint tunnel breakthrough, which would help the project gain sense and the goal of regional integration as part of the European transport network would be met. A new call must be issued, which would be a joint project implemented by Macedonia and Bulgaria in order the rail to be built in the spirit of good neighbourly ties. Also, the price has to be revised as we deem it is too high,” said the press release. 

In the meeting, the Bulgarian officials said at the moment there is no project to complete the construction of a railway to the border with Macedonia and to construct a tunnel all the while expressing preparedness to complete a project by 2026.

In the meeting, it was concluded that the two sides should hold another working meeting by the end of this month so as to discuss details over the joint project.

In addition to EU officials, representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, and other institutions involved in the development of a transport network in the region and Europe were in attendance, said the Transport Ministry. 

MIA file photo