The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, has officially inaugurated the reopening of the 31 km long Kumanovo – Beljakovce railway, following the completion of modernisation work.
“It gives me great pleasure that the first phase of the railway line to the Eastern neighbor, Kumanovo – Beljakovce railway, over 30 kilometers long, for which, as was said, more than EUR 78 million have been invested, is being put into operation,” the Prime Minister said at the official event.
“The second section will be completed within the deadline stipulated in the contract. In addition, we will launch the tender procedure for the third section, which will make us fully connected to our eastern neighboring countries. And with that, we will practically be part of a very important corridor, not only for the European Union, but also for the NATO Alliance,” Hristijan Mickoski said.
The reopening of the modernised rail section “is an incentive for the economic progress of the region and this means is now connecting with neighbors and improving the lives of citizens. The regular train services between Kumanovo and Skopje will begin and also towards Beljakovce. I hope that a large number of residents of this part of our homeland will be able to use this railway. And a large number of Kumanovo residents, Skopje residents, but also other citizens of ours will be able to use the section from Kumanovo to Skopje in the years to come” said the Deputy President of the Government and Minister of Transport, Aleksandar Nikoloski.
Kumanovo – Beljakovce railway is part of the Corridor VIII which includes a 90 km line from Kumanovo to the border with Bulgaria and a 103 km line linking Kicevo and Skopje.
The modernisation of 192 km railway part of the Corridor VIII is split into four sections, with the first including the reopened section. Another sections includes the 34 km Beljakovce – Kriva Palanka, the 24 km Kriva Palanka – Deve Bair – border with Bulgaria and the 103 km Kicevo – Skopje connection. In 2023, the EBRD has announced that a EUR 175 million loan will be provided to the North Macedonia for the rehabilitation of the section from Kriva Palanka to the border with Bulgaria. In addition, in 2023, the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced a proposal for co-financing of EUR 299 million for this section, with total eligible costs of EUR 500 million. The work for this section was launched by Bulgaria’s and North Macedonia’s prime ministers on October 29, 2022.
The Kumanovo – Beljakovce railway project has been co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and was implemented by companies from Italy, Slovenia, Austria and other European countries also participate through their activities.
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) provided more than EUR 82 million for technical assistance and construction and rehabilitation works olut of which a EUR 70 million EUR grant was delivered for the construction of Beljakovce – Kriva Palanka section, as well as rehabilitation of two stations and three stops. The planned works include 5.5 km tunnels, rail bridges and overpasses and underpasses as well as the installation of new signalling and telecommunication systems.
For the 65 km Kumanovo – Kriva Palanka line, EUR 281.7 million is the total financing for Beljakovce – Kriva Palanka project, of which EUR 191.4 million is the value of the total loans and EUR 79.9 million in total grants. The project is expected to be completed in December 2026 when the modernised and expanded railway interconnection will shorten the railway link between North Macedonia and the Black Sea by approximately 200 km.
The modernisation of the 103 km Skopje – Kicevo line has a financing of EUR 350.3 million, of which the largest portion, of EUR 175 million is covered by a EBRD loan, while EUR 301,500 from WBIF grant.
For the North Macedonia Government, the modernisation and expansion of the Corridor VII and Corridor X is of great importance and are key to provide connections to the other European countries and integrate country’s market, while contributing to economic development along their route as well to North Macedonia entirely.
Corridor VII links Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, and then Italy, connecting the Black Sea with the Adriatic areas.
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