GYUESHEVO – A milestone for regional transport integration was reached on 6 November 2025, as the Governments of Bulgaria, and North Macedonia signed a key Agreement on the preparation, construction, and operation of a cross-border railway tunnel facility. The ceremony took place at Gyueshevo Railway Station in Kyustendil Province, marking an important step forward in completing the rail link along the EU’s Core TEN-T Corridor VIII.
The event began with a symbolic train journey aboard the historic Crown Express, led by H.E. Mr Grozdan Karadjov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications of Bulgaria, who welcomed delegations at Kyustendil Railway Station before the departure to Gyueshevo. Delegations from both Bulgaria, and North Macedonia, EU representatives, and guests travelled together, emphasising the shared commitment to enhanced connectivity and cooperation.
At 12:00, the two governments formally signed the Agreement, paving the way for strategically important infrastructure investments along Corridor VIII. Statements followed by H.E. Mr Grozdan Karadjov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications of Bulgaria, H.E. Mr Aleksandar Nikoloski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of the Republic of North Macedonia, and Ms Valentina Superti, Director for Western Balkans at DG ENEST of the European Commission.
The cross-border rail tunnel is a key missing link in the Core TEN-T. Corridor VIII connects the Adriatic Sea (ports of Durrës and Vlorë) with the Black Sea (ports of Varna and Burgas), via North Macedonia and Bulgaria. The new tunnel facility will enable a direct Adriatic–Black Sea transport route, reducing travel time and logistics costs for freight and passengers, boost multimodality and port-to-rail connectivity, strengthening the role of ports in Albania and Bulgaria, shift transport from road to rail, cutting emissions and supporting EU climate objective, and increase trade, transit flows, and supply chain efficiency, benefitting businesses and SMEs across the region.
Beyond its transport dimension, Corridor VIII carries a strong political and economic value. By improving connectivity between Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria, this project fosters regional stability and cooperation, supports alignment with EU transport standards and TEN-T requirements, and enhances the Western Balkans’ integration with EU markets and networks.
Completion of Corridor VIII is a long-standing strategic priority of the EU and the Transport Community, and the signing of this Agreement marks a positive move towards turning this vision into reality.
Photo: Ministry of Transport and Communication of Bulgaria
