Bulgaria speeds up modernization of key railway corridor toward North Macedonia

Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia will complete the construction of the railway connection between the two countries by 2030.

The announcement was made at a meeting between caretaker Transport Minister Korman Ismailov and the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to Bulgaria, Agneza Rusi Popovska, the press center of the Ministry of Transport and Communications said.

The ministry added that the next stage in the process is the establishment of a Joint Committee, led by the deputy Ministers of Transport. It will coordinate the preparation, construction and future operation of the facility.

The press centre said that Minister Ismailov noted the accelerated pace at which the Bulgarian side is working on the modernization of the Sofia - Pernik - Radomir - Gyueshevo railway line. Ambassador Rusi Popovska emphasized that cooperation between the institutions of the two countries is an important prerequisite for the smooth implementation of the project.

In February, parliament adopted at first and second reading in one sitting the bill for the ratification of the Agreement on the preparation, construction, and operation of a cross-border railway tunnel between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, signed on November 6, 2025, in the village of Gyueshevo, Western Bulgaria.