Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia have agreed to swiftly finalise the Agreement on the construction of a cross-border railway tunnel between the two countries. This was confirmed today during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications of Bulgaria, Grozdan Karadjov, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of the Republic of North Macedonia, Aleksandar Nikoloski, held within the framework of the “Global Forum for Transport Connectivity 2025” in Istanbul.
During the meeting, both parties underlined the need for the construction and modernisation of European transport corridors, with a particular focus on Corridor VIII – both rail and road – as a key precondition for regional economic development and the facilitation of transport and trade.
“Bulgaria is working actively on the implementation of Corridor VIII. By the end of July, we will launch the tender procedure for the construction of the final 2.4 km of the railway line between Gyueshevo and Deve Bair, on the border with the Republic of North Macedonia. All administrative procedures have been completed, and funding of €69 million has been secured under the Transport Connectivity Programme 2021–2027. By the end of 2028, a Bulgarian train will reach Deve Bair,” the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister emphasised.
Mr Karadjov also recalled that Bulgaria will invest over €1.5 billion in the modernisation of the railway connection from Sofia to the border with North Macedonia. “This route is not only a commitment stemming from our NATO membership, the Treaty of Good Neighbourly Relations, and its Protocols, but also a clear sign of our aspiration for genuine friendship between the people on both sides of the border,” he stated.
Deputy Prime Ministers Karadjov and Nikoloski agreed to hold a follow-up meeting at which the wording of the agreement for the construction of the railway tunnel will be finalised. They also agreed to send experts to take part in the upcoming Corridor VIII coordination meeting in July, organised by the European Commission.
