EU invests 2.8 million euro in new rail link between Serbia and North Macedonia

North Macedonia and Serbia are receiving financial support from the European Union for the construction of a joint border railway crossing that will facilitate the movement of goods and passengers between the two countries, BalkanEngineer.com has learned from a statement by Aleksandar Nikoloski, North Macedonia's minister of transport. The 2.8 million euro grant, provided through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), will support the construction and modernisation of the railway station in Tabanovce, an important point along the strategic Corridor X.

The agreement was signed in Skopje in the presence of representatives of both parties as well as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which is providing an additional 5 million euro loan for the project.

The new railway station will introduce the so-called "One-Stop Shop" model - a "one-stop shop" system where customs and border checks will be carried out in one place by both countries. This will significantly reduce the waiting time for trains, which is currently one of the biggest problems on the route.

The project involves renovating the buildings, implementing intelligent energy management systems and installing photovoltaic panels that will provide part of the required electricity. The modernisation of the railway station in Tabanovce will start in the second half of 2025 and the facility is expected to be completed within two years.

The EU continues to invest in the transport infrastructure of the Western Balkans to facilitate the integration of the region into the European transport network. Over the last decade, the EBRD has invested more than €340 million in North Macedonia's railway sector, and the new projects are part of a wider modernisation plan. "A strong and modern transport corridor means faster trade, more investment and better connectivity for people. This is the true integration of the region into Europe," the European Commission representative stressed.

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