€149 million grant for the Kriva Palanka–Deve Bair railway, third phase of the project launched

The third financing phase for the construction of the Kriva Palanka–Deve Bair railway segment, as part of Corridor 8, has begun with the signing of the relevant agreements. The documents include an investment grant secured through the European Union’s Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), as well as financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The EU’s Western Balkans Investment Framework has allocated €149 million in grant funding for the completion of the third section of Railway Corridor 8.

The signing ceremony was held at the Government premises in the presence of Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski; Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikolloski; Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Koçoska; Deputy Head of the EU Delegation Ben Nupnau; EBRD Director for North Macedonia Fatih Turkmenogllu; EIB Director in North Macedonia Bjorn Gabriel; and Sinisha Ivanovski, director of Railways – Infrastructure.

Work on the ground is expected to begin this year. The selection of the company that will implement the project is planned for the autumn, with construction expected to begin immediately afterward. The tendering procedure for supervision is already active and will be conducted in two stages—prequalification and qualification—while the construction tender will be carried out in a single phase.

According to Minister Aleksandar Nikolloski, the agreements signed today are part of the continuation of the government’s vision for North Macedonia to use its strategic position as a connecting hub between Corridors 8 and 10.

Nikolloski said that the construction of Corridor 8 is among the Government’s main priorities. He described this as a particularly important day, emphasizing that, after almost two years of work, a concrete and feasible project had been reached. The minister added that an agreement had been reached with Bulgaria on the construction of the cross-border railway tunnel that will connect the two countries.

He announced that the second intergovernmental meeting is expected to take place in Skopje at the end of the month. At that meeting, the two countries will send a joint letter to the EU, the EIB and the EBRD, requesting the grant needed for the construction of the tunnel.

According to Nikolloski, this case demonstrates how projects can be advanced, problems inherited from the past can be overcome, and processes can be directed in the right direction.

Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Koçoska said that the documentation signed today provides the basis for one of the country’s most important infrastructure projects to continue without obstacles.

She explained that amendments to the financing agreements and an amendment to the grant agreement for the project “Construction of the new railway segment Kriva Palanka – border with the Republic of Bulgaria, as part of Corridor VIII” had been signed. Dimitrieska-Koçoska stressed that this completes the financial structure that will enable the full implementation of the project.

The minister said the new railway line would strengthen the connection between the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea, help economic integration, and facilitate the movement of people and goods. According to her, the project will also create new opportunities for the economic development of North Macedonia and the region.

Dimitrieska-Koçoska emphasized that the implementation of strategic projects requires not only political will, but also a sustainable financial structure.

She announced that the 2026 Budget revision had also allocated 5.8 billion denars for capital expenditures. This amount represents an increase of 14.3% compared with the funds initially planned.

According to the minister, these funds constitute investments aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the Macedonian economy, strengthening regional links, creating new opportunities for businesses, and improving citizens’ living standards.