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Delayed for 100 years/ Bulgaria and North Macedonia sign agreement to build railway tunnel

2025-11-07 18:21:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Delayed for 100 years/ Bulgaria and North Macedonia sign agreement to build

An agreement for the construction of a cross-border railway tunnel has been signed by Bulgarian Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov and his North Macedonian counterpart Aleksandar Nikoloski. The cross-border tunnel between Bulgaria and North Macedonia is a key project of the Western Balkans - Eastern Mediterranean Corridor and Corridor 8.

With a length of approximately 2.4 kilometers, it will ensure the railway connection of the two countries, improve transport access between the Black Sea and the Adriatic, and contribute to the economic development and European and NATO connectivity of the region.

The length of the tunnel will be approximately 2.4 kilometers, half of which will be located on the territory of Bulgaria and the other half on the territory of North Macedonia. Its construction, as stated by the Ministers of Transport of both countries, will contribute to the economic development of the region and strengthen the integration of transport networks at the EU and NATO level. The

Bulgarian Minister of Transport noted that the cross-border connection of his country with North Macedonia has been delayed for 100 years.

"It started more than 100 years ago and is now expected to be completed within two years. This is a long-standing dream, an extremely desirable project for all our compatriots, especially for those who, when the railway arrived here in 1942, everyone hoped that it would continue. But since 1942 - 83 years later - it has remained until now, at this station," said Grozdan Karadjov, during the signing of the agreement for the construction of the railway tunnel.

The construction of this section of the railway line to the border with Bulgaria is expected to be completed in the coming years, although there are some delays. On the Bulgarian side, there is a functioning railway network up to the border with North Macedonia.

In the past, the construction of this railway tunnel has been the subject of a fierce confrontation between the governments of the two countries, which have accused each other of delays in the construction of the project and its financial aspect. The construction of the tunnel is financed, in large part, by the EU.

Bulgaria and North Macedonia have tense political relations, due to Sofia's "veto" on the start of Skopje's accession negotiations with the EU. The agreement on the construction of the railway tunnel between Bulgaria and North Macedonia was welcomed by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. /CNA