Jan 12, 2024. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Skopje.
Deputy
Minister of Transport and Communications Bekim Rexhepi and Kosovo Minister of
Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Liburn Aliu signed Friday a
Co-financing Agreement for the construction of a tunnel of the Tetovo-Prizren
road.
The construction of the 6.4km long tunnel will connect North Macedonia and Kosovo. Feasibility study showed that the most optimal route is the one that starts from Tetovo through Popova Shapka, Brodec and ends in Veshala village near Tetovo, where through the tunnel will connect with Kosovo, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said in a press release.
Deputy
Minister Rexhepi stressed that the infrastructure project will strengthen
economic cooperation with Kosovo.
"The
connection with Kosovo will be made through a tunnel, for which both countries
signed an agreement today. We chose the most optimal solution because it cuts
through the Popova Shapka ski center, which is a huge advantage for the
development and increase of tourism for the region," Rexhepi said.
State Roads
director Ejup Rustemi informed that for this purpose another 17km of road will
have to be built on the Tetovo-Prizren connection.
"The
joint tunnel will be part of Corridor 8, and we are improving road
infrastructure between the neighboring countries in the region and between
Skopje, Tirana and Prishtina," said Rustemi.
Minister of
Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski emphasized that they are
currently working on North Macedonia's regional connection with all its
neighbors.
Kosovo
Environment Minister Aliu pointed out that Kosovo is already working on the
road that should connect with North Macedonia.
The two
delegations, the press release adds, held a bilateral meeting where they
confirmed the good cooperation and stressed the importance of joint efforts for
faster European integration of the region.
mia