Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Aleksandar Nikoloski, called on transporters from North Macedonia not to be influenced by neighboring countries and not to fall prey to false information circulating.

In an interview for the show “Vesti Plus” on “Kanal5” television, he explained that two days ago in Brussels there was no meeting, but a regular press conference, where journalists had the opportunity to ask questions of any kind, including about transporters from the Western Balkans. Nikoloski said he would urge transporters not to fall under the influence of a neighboring country that will soon hold elections. According to him, it was precisely from that country that the information was spread that a meeting was held in Brussels on September 1, and such an announcement is fake news.

The minister stressed that the biggest step in negotiations on limiting the stay of transporters in the Schengen area was taken in February this year, when the European Union decided to recognize bus and truck drivers as professionals. This means that all drivers operating in the Schengen area now have the possibility to apply for long-term visas valid throughout the EU.

He described the problem facing North Macedonia’s transporters as very serious, adding that the government shows full understanding and provides strong support, just as it has throughout the past period. According to him, the greatest progress was achieved in February, when the European Commission changed its visa strategy and recognized truck, bus, and other transport vehicle drivers as professionals. This change created space for finding a solution. Nikoloski explained that the process has two stages: first they were recognized as professionals, and with this status they gained the right to long-term visas, thus bypassing the 90-day limit within 180 days that applies to other residents who are not part of the Schengen area.

He specified that now any driver who needs to transport goods to any Schengen country can apply for a long-term visa and obtain it. Such visas are already issued by Croatia and Switzerland.

Nikoloski emphasized the importance that these visas be valid for the entire Schengen area, not just for the issuing country, because within the zone there are no borders and entry is only at the external borders for non-member countries. This, according to him, is the solution that can currently be achieved, although it would be better and easier if the EU changed the rules. He stressed that they have repeatedly requested this, but the decision does not depend on them, but on the EU, and that what they can do now, they are doing.

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Acting Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Dimal Basha met in Skopje with North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Aleksandar Nikoloski.

The meeting focused on accelerating cooperation between the two countries on the strategic Prizren–Tetovo road project and the tunnel that will establish a direct link between Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Basha announced that the project has already entered the process and that technical teams from both countries are working together on its design. The parties agreed to intensify this work so that the project can be finalized as soon as possible, followed by the procedures for contracting and implementing it.

According to Basha, construction of the tunnel will significantly shorten the distance between Prizren and Tetovo, while also serving as a new economic corridor between Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Importance was also attached to the development of other infrastructure projects, including the Pristina–Skopje highway, the restoration of rail services, and the operationalization of the “One Stop Shop” joint cross-border railway station.

The acting minister emphasized that strengthening the road and railway networks would facilitate the movement of citizens and the transportation of goods, while also giving businesses in both countries greater opportunities for trade, investment, and economic growth.

Basha expressed his gratitude for Minister Nikoloski’s hospitality and willingness to cooperate, as well as that of Deputy Minister Kaltrina Zekolli-Shaqiri. He stressed that the shared aim is to ensure that projects discussed for a long time do not remain merely plans, but are put into practice.

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Ministri në detyrë i Infrastrukturës dhe Transportit, Dimal Basha, u takua në Shkup me Zëvendëskryeministrin dhe Ministrin e Transportit të Maqedonisë së Veriut, Aleksandar Nikoloski.

Gjatë takimit u diskutua për përshpejtimin e bashkëpunimit ndërmjet dy vendeve lidhur me projektin strategjik të rrugës Prizren–Tetovë dhe tunelin që do të krijojë lidhje të drejtpërdrejtë mes Kosovës dhe Maqedonisë së Veriut.

Basha bëri të ditur se projekti ka hyrë tashmë në proces dhe se ekipet teknike të të dyja shteteve po punojnë së bashku për hartimin e tij. Palët ranë dakord që kjo punë të intensifikohet, në mënyrë që projekti të finalizohet sa më shpejt dhe të vijojnë procedurat për kontraktimin dhe realizimin e tij.

Sipas Bashës, ndërtimi i tunelit do të ndikojë ndjeshëm në shkurtimin e distancës mes Prizrenit dhe Tetovës, ndërsa njëkohësisht do të shërbejë si korridor i ri ekonomik ndërmjet Kosovës dhe Maqedonisë së Veriut.

Rëndësi iu kushtua edhe zhvillimit të projekteve të tjera infrastrukturore, mes tyre autostrada Prishtinë–Shkup, rikthimi i komunikacionit hekurudhor dhe funksionalizimi i stacionit të përbashkët hekurudhor kufitar “One Stop Shop”.

Ministri në detyrë theksoi se forcimi i rrjetit rrugor dhe hekurudhor do të lehtësojë lëvizjen e qytetarëve dhe transportin e mallrave, si dhe do t’u mundësojë bizneseve të dy vendeve më shumë hapësirë për tregti, investime dhe rritje ekonomike.

Basha shprehu mirënjohje për mikpritjen dhe vullnetin për bashkëpunim të ministrit Nikoloski dhe zëvendësministres Kaltrina Zekolli-Shaqiri. Ai nënvizoi se synimi i përbashkët është që projektet e diskutuara prej kohësh të mos mbeten vetëm në nivel planesh, por të konkretizohen.

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At the same time, he announced that intensive work is underway to prepare the documentation for the railway connection between Skopje, Tetovo and Gostivar in the first phase, in cooperation with the European Union and within the framework of the Growth Plan. According to him, the second phase envisages continuing toward Kërçova, while the third phase will include Ohrid, Struga and the Republic of Albania.

Nikoloski said that his goal, which he also described as a kind of dream, is the construction of intercity train lines, which would significantly help ease traffic, as well as reduce congestion and pollution. He added that the project is progressing intensively and expressed hope that the first concrete works will begin during the coming year, while after a few years it will become possible for the trip from the center of Tetovo to the center of Skopje to take only half an hour and offer a pleasant journey.

He also underlined that these activities will represent a continuation of the “Urban Train” project within Skopje.

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