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Macedonia-Kosovo border procedures in railway traffic have been simplified, since they would be carried out at one point on the Kosovo side, in order to reduce the delays and facilitate transport of passengers and commodities.
Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski and Kosovo colleague Fehmi Mujota signed Thursday the agreement for border regulation of railway traffic.
Competent institutions from both countries have agreed that customs and inspection procedures are conducted at the Kosovo side, taking into consideration the better conditions from a technical point of view.
“The agreement obliges both parties to non-discriminatory competition regarding the free access and acceptance of documents originating from international conventions. The agreement text has been developed in line with all European directives and in accordance with treaties that Macedonia is signing with EU member-states”, said Minister Janakieski.
Annual commodity transport between Macedonia and Kosovo amounts to 1,200,000 tonnes, whereas passenger transport has over 80-percent used capacity.
“The agreement is significant for both countries, demonstrating the path our countries should follow towards European integration”, said Kosovo Minister Mujota.
According to him, the construction of highway Pristina-Hani i Elezit (General Jankovic)-Skopje is in the countries’ common interest.
“It will link Corridors 8 and 10, enabling the accelerated development of both countries from an economic aspect. The Kosovo government plans to realize this project by 2014”, added Mujota.
Janakieski reiterated that railway links with Albania and Bulgaria are part of the Government’s programme.
“A feasibility study, environment study and a draft-project for the railway connection with Albania have already been developed, along with an application for IPA funds over the development of the main project. We expect its approval, followed by the project development, so that construction can begin in 2014-2015”, underlined the minister.
MIA