The current administration of VMRO-DPMNE has initiated the Kichevo-Ohrid highway project, following seven years of governance by SDSM/DUI during which construction was largely halted and suspended. This government, led by VMRO-DPMNE/VEN and ZNAM, will now complete and put the highway into operation. Director of the State Roads Enterprise, Koco Trayanovski, and representative of the Chinese firm Sinohydro, Chen Chen, signed the eighth annex to the Kichevo-Ohrid highway construction agreement, recently approved by Parliament.
This annex allocates an additional 186 million euros to finalize the project. The company is given a deadline to complete it by May 31, 2027. State Roads clarifies that these funds are necessary for unforeseen and supplementary construction works required to fully complete the project.
This includes remediation of 14 landslides and ensuring overall stability, constructing a resilient barrier fence, building a control center, and additional work on parallel roads. These measures overcome design challenges related to slopes and landslides, allowing for intensified construction activities. Fifty-seven kilometers of the highway have been under construction for twelve years, with approximately 40 kilometers now in operation.
Previously, Washington estimated that Iran would not respond more strongly than in the previous year’s 12-day Israeli and American targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities. The US initially targeted over 3000 targets in Iran, prompting Iranian responses with rockets and drones targeting US military bases in the Middle East, Israel, and allied Arab cities. American officials had to adapt plans on the fly, including rapid evacuation orders and developing policies to reduce oil prices.
Following a closed meeting with Congressional representatives, Senator Christopher Murphy stated that the administration lacks a plan for the Hormuz Strait and doesn’t know how to reopen it.
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The Kichevo-Ohrid highway is nearing completion, scheduled for full operation next year.