Skopje, 16 August 2023 (MIA) – The Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure of Kosovo, Liburn Aliu, at a press conference Wednesday alongside the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, said that the Government of North Macedonia has already drafted a feasibility study for the construction of the Tetovo-Prizren road, and noted that they are currently in the financial agreement stage of realization of the project.

“We already have a feasibility study drafted by the Republic of North Macedonia. We are in the stage of a financial agreement to realize the project, and then move on to the stage of its complete realization. This project, apart from connecting Prizren with Tetovo, connects the Sharr Mountains National Park in Kosovo with the Sharr Mountains National Park in North Macedonia. These two areas have exceptional value and opportunities for economic development through winter and summer tourism, and this route will give rise to the opportunity for joint management of the National Park and managing the development of tourism in both countries,” said Aliu.

DUI leader Ali Ahmeti said it is in the interest of both countries that cooperation and communication continue. 

“But it is also important to cooperate with the other countries of the region such as Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and to strengthen the cooperation between the countries of the region. Of course, we are big investors in peace, stability, security and a secure future of the region,” said Ahmeti. 

On August 11, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the Mayor of Tetovo, Bilall Kasami voiced their commitments for a speedier construction of the Tetovo-Prizren road that would pass through the Sharr Mountains.

Kasami said if the central Government has no interest, as a local government they will attempt to realize the idea for an infrastructure connection between the two cities.

“If the Government is not interested in realizing the Tetovo-Prizren road, based on the study and the agreements with the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, then we, as a local government, within our competencies and abilities, will work and invest as we did with this important 7-kilometer section of the road from Selce to Vejce. And we will remain in close contact with the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the local government in Prizren in order to construct this section,” said the Mayor of Tetovo.

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