A significant investment cycle totaling several billion euros is being realized in the development and modernization of transport corridors within Macedonia. Efforts are underway to construct and upgrade motorway sections, alongside investment in the rapid railway line of Corridor 10 and the railway connection of the East. With World Bank support, the government is also working on the modernization of border crossings with Albania and Bulgaria.
Vice-President Aleksandar Nikolski highlighted these initiatives during a ministerial meeting in Washington, organized by the World Bank. He emphasized the strategic importance of Corridor 10, linking southern Europe with northern Europe, as the longest corridor in Europe. The second key corridor, Corridor 8, extending from west to east, originating in Albania and terminating at the Odessa port in Ukraine, is considered the second most vital security corridor for NATO.
The government is actively developing both corridors, supported by substantial investment. This will unlock new business development opportunities along these routes. Nikolski noted ongoing projects, including collaboration with the United Kingdom on a high-speed railway capable of 200 km/h for passenger traffic and 120 km/h for freight.
Joint railway connections with Bulgaria for Corridor 8 are being established, financed by the EU and several banks. Furthermore, the government is modernizing major border crossings with Albania and Bulgaria, alongside a project with customs involving a new automated toll system for enhanced cargo traffic efficiency. Nikolski also addressed the connection of Corridor 10 and Corridor 4 in Bulgaria, aiming to link Macedonia to Turkey and the Middle East, expressing gratitude for the World Bank’s financial and expert support.
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