Deputy Minister Delyana Ivanova: Work begins on the Klepalo border checkpoint

"We are 23 years away from the signing of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Republic of Northern Macedonia in 1999, which provides for the construction of a border checkpoint" Klepalo "between the two countries. The government's commitment today is clear and it is to start work on the construction of the border crossing as soon as possible. " With these words, the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Co-Chair of the Bulgarian side Delyana Ivanova opened the working meeting of the Joint Expert Commission in Sofia today. On the Macedonian side, the co-chair is Zoran Popov, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The new border checkpoint is expected to connect Strumyani municipality, Blagoevgrad district and Berovo municipality in the Republic of Northern Macedonia. The experts of both countries have the task to determine the main technical characteristics of road connections, the location of the route, the intersection with the border, the location of the new border crossing, the necessary infrastructure, buildings, types of cargo, mode of operation, legal and regulatory issues.

"Our work is expected to determine the main characteristics of the future border checkpoint, so that there is a solid foundation, clear parameters and deadlines for project implementation. It is important to anticipate the needs for at least a decade ahead and to think about the people in the region who are looking for sustainable solutions that comply with all legal requirements, "said Deputy Minister Ivanova.

For his part, co-chairman Zoran Popov pointed out that the project is in the interest of both parties. "We have always been open to dialogue, I believe it will be the same now - not because of the European perspective, not because of Europe, but because of us. We must do it for the good of both sides," he said in a statement.

The Joint Expert Commission is about to develop its own internal rules of operation in a short time, to start the technical preparation of the project so as to receive the allocated European funding, to develop common development plans, to start expropriation procedures for the route.

BGN 9.3 million are the funds provided for the construction of the Klepalo border checkpoint. They are included in the Program for cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia for the period 2021-2027.

The leading motive for the accelerated construction of the new checkpoint is the need to strengthen regional connectivity, facilitate the growing trafficking in human beings and goods between the two countries and unlock the economic potential in the border region. Passing through Klepalo will save distance and time and will have beneficial effects on the environment by reducing the concentration of harmful emissions.

With two decisions in March this year, the Council of Ministers appointed the members of the joint commission from the Bulgarian side and appointed the regional governor of Blagoevgrad to assign the design and construction of the checkpoint.

The Joint Commission includes representatives of: Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs Agency, Ministry of Transport, Border Control Directorate, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Road Infrastructure Agency, Agency for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre, Blagoevgrad District Administration and Strumyani Municipality.