Bulgaria is fully prepared and willing to sign an agreement with the Republic of North Macedonia and to start digging the border railway tunnel as soon as possible. This was said by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov at a working breakfast with ambassadors to Bulgaria of the EU and NATO member states regarding the country's progress in the construction of Corridor 8. The event was attended by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov, the Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov, representatives of the European Commission, the National Construction Company "Railway Infrastructure" and the Agency “Road Infrastructure“.
Deputy Prime Minister Karadzhov provided detailed information about the railway projects on Bulgarian territory along Corridor 8 and pointed out that the cross-border tunnel between Bulgaria and North Macedonia is not only a physical connection between two countries, but also an opportunity for trouble-free movement from the Adriatic to the Black Sea. “We expect a response and comments from Skopje on the proposed agreement in order to plan an expert meeting to discuss it”, emphasized Grozdan Karadzhov. He expressed readiness, if the Republic of North Macedonia has no objections to the document, to immediately organize its signing. According to him, Bulgaria can immediately begin construction of the missing 2.4 km section from Gyueshevo to the border, but technologically speaking, the tunnel facility must first be built, the Ministry of Transport reported.
“The daily problems that our government faces require a large part of our attention and an urgent response. At the same time, however, we should not lose focus on the strategic goals that can take our countries to another level. Such is the topic of Corridor 8“, said Regional Minister Ivan Ivanov and called for accelerating and concentrating efforts on the implementation of the project.
Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov emphasized that the development of basic infrastructure, including the railway connection with the Republic of North Macedonia, is of particular importance for Bulgaria and everything possible must be done for tangible progress in a short period of time. “Military mobility is a priority task for us. Bulgaria supports the further development of Military Mobility not only as a “flagship“ project for cooperation between NATO and the EU, but also to enhance the role of regional security through better connectivity of the European contingent“, added Zapryanov.