Belgrade, 6 July 2024 (MIA) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić marked Saturday the beginning of the construction of the railway bypass around Niš. Vučić highlighted that the Belgrade-Niš railway is one of the most important projects for both him and the Serbian government and noted that future discussions with the European Union will focus on completing the railway extension from Niš to Preševo and North Macedonia, MIA’s Belgrade correspondent reported.

President Vučić attended the launch of the Niš railway bypass construction, part of the Niš-Dimitrovgrad railway modernization project on Corridor 10. He said that the EU has contributed €80 million for the railway and €35 million for the Niš bypass, which will cover a distance of 22.5 kilometers.

“The journey from Belgrade to Niš will now take just 1 hour and 40 minutes, while travel from Budapest to Niš will be reduced to 4.5 hours,” Vučić added.

Speaking about the benefits of the Belgrade-Niš high-speed railway, he noted that the new railway will make travel to Greece and Turkey quicker. Vučić also indicated that there will be discussions with the European Union to complete the railway extension from Niš to Preševo.

He stated that after finalizing talks with North Macedonia, the railway will enable rapid travel to Thessaloniki and Athens. 

Vučić emphasized that this project is a major priority for the Serbian government.

“After years of dialogue with Europeans, when they offered us a grant of €600 million, I welcomed it as an excellent opportunity to work towards a new and different Serbia—a vision we have all dreamed of,” Vučić said.