The railway line from Kumanovo to Beljakovce in North Macedonia was initiated by Prime Ministers Galab Donev and Dimitar Kovachevski (RNM). The route, which is a part of the more than two-decade-old trans-European corridor number 8 project, should reach the Bulgarian border.
David Geer, EU’s ambassador to (RNM), emphasizes that it is the most significant European investment in North Macedonia to date; the European Union is funding the construction of the railway line to Bulgaria with more than half a billion euros.
Prime Minister Galab Donev stated that over the past 140 years, many generations had desired the infrastructure found in corridor number 8. Dimitar Kovachevski, a colleague, noted that the railway is the foundation for the two nations’ shared destiny, which includes economic growth, regional connectivity, and quick transport for citizens of both countries.
Kumanovo and Belyakovce will be connected by more than 30 kilometres of railway line costing several tens of millions of euros. The line should then carry on to the Bulgarian border from North Macedonia.
This railway line had several groundbreakings over the years, and in memoranda between the two administrations, most recently in 2014, 2017, and 2019, it has been reaffirmed as a priority.
Realizing the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on Bulgaria, Donev said, “One of our region’s most vulnerable areas, the underdeveloped or nonexistent infrastructure, is once again made clear by the effects of the war in Ukraine. It is essential to ensure direct supply lines in the situation of an energy and food crisis.”
Minister Donev commented, “For the first time in the history of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the trade exchange is expected to surpass 1 billion euros at the end of the year. Imagine the outcome if there was a developed infrastructure connecting Bulgaria and North Macedonia”.