Skopje, 16 May 2023 (MIA) – Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski is on a working visit to Montenegro on Tuesday, where he is participating in a Connectivity Summit organized by the Transport Community’s Secretariat and CEFTA.

In a press release, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said that at the Summit, Minister Bochvarski signed the annex to the European Commission’s decision "High-level Understanding between the European Union and the Republic of North Macedonia, on the indicative maps of the Trans-European transport network in the Republic of North Macedonia," which adds Corridor VIII to the map of main Western Balkan corridors, expanding the EU’s Trans-European transport network.

In his address at the summit, Minister Bochvarski stressed the importance of regional connectivity, with a special emphasis on road and railway Corridor VIII and the projects realized as part of it.

“Today I signed the annex adding this very significant Corridor of the East-West axis to the map of main European corridors. Now it is up to us to continue the construction of road and railway Corridor VIII, to construct it as a modern, high quality and secure route, proving that these policies are not only on paper, but we are also realizing them on the ground. For North Macedonia this EU decision is of strategic importance, turning the country into a crossroad of the two main European corridors, VIII and X,” said Minister Bochvarski.

According to the Ministry, Bochvarski added that the development of Corridor VIII along the East-West axis is a necessary economic and political instrument that will help the region improve its connectivity and stability.

The goal of the development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) is to secure a smooth, sustainable and efficient transport throughout the Union, strengthening social, economic and territorial unity.

“With North Macedonia’s geostrategic position and the fact that corridors VIII and X are a part of the main transport network, we are become an unavoidable transport route not only in the region, but beyond. The goal of North Macedonia’s transport policy are corridors VIII and X as a part of the basic network until 2030, i.e., 2040, for the constructed main network to be built in line with TEN-T EU standards,” said the press release.

Apart from Minister Bochvarski, the Summit was attended by transport and infrastructure ministers from the countries of the region, as well as representatives from the Transport Community and the European Commission.

Photo: Ministry of Transport and Communications