In a meeting hosted by Ms Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans in DG ENEST, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Bulgaria, Mr. Lyuben Nanov, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Stefan Volkanovski, exchanged views and confirmed commitment towards the finalization of the missing links of the railway Corridor VIII under the TEN-T Regulation. The meeting took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere, as a follow-up on a previous exchange that took place in October 2024.
The two parties took stock of the progress made in the last months and agreed on the need to renew efforts for the preparation of studies and tenders for the completion of the cross-border sections of the Corridor. A roadmap for the coming months was discussed and agreed and key milestones identified, including the target to relaunch the works tender for the railway section between Kriva Palanka and the entrance of the cross-border tunnel by the end of 2025 on the North Macedonia side. Likewise, for the section on the Bulgarian side of the border, from Gyueshevo to the cross-border tunnel entrance, the tender for works was launched in July 2025.
As regards the joint project for the construction of the cross-border tunnel between Gyueshevo and Deve Bair, the two parties agreed to create working groups that by the end of July will finalise the text of the intergovernmental agreement as proposed by Bulgaria and based on the draft submitted in January 2025, aiming to set out the specific commitments of both parties on the technical, financial, construction and operational aspects. A first preliminary exchange of views on the agreement was also conducted. The signature of the agreement in Autumn this year will pave the way to launch procurement of construction works in early 2026. Both sides agreed to continue their respective work on the construction of the cross-border tunnel facility, which shall be constructed in accordance with the existing technical design submitted by the Republic of North Macedonia.
The European Investment Bank offered its availability to facilitate technical discussion and provide advisory services.
The eastern stretch of Corridor VIII connects the Republic of North Macedonia and Bulgaria and is part of the Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean European Transport Corridor. In addition, the section between Kriva Palanka and the border with Bulgaria has been designated as a flagship project of the EU’s Global Gateway. Significant EU financial assistance is provided to both countries for project preparation and investment. The initiative has also strong support of the European Corridor Coordinator for the Western Balkan – Eastern Mediterranean and of the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, also participants in the meeting.
Both parties have committed to explore the most suitable opportunities to jointly apply for funding by the EU or the partnering financial institutions for the construction of the tunnel.
