Nearly 800 thousand euro from the Cross-border Cooperation Programme between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia are allocated for projects for tourism development and environmental protection

The strategic direction of the new programming period for the construction of the border crossing point "Klepalo" between Strumyani and Berovo received broad support

Projects of organizations from Nevestino, Dupnitsa and Blagoevgrad and their partners from Shtip and Berovo, Republic of North Macedonia, will be supported with nearly 800 000 EUR from the Bulgaria-North Macedonia Cross-border Programme 2014-2020 after transfer of free resources to the Priority Axis "Tourism" and "Environment".  The funds will be available after the successful completion of the programme amendment procedure with the approval of the European Commission.  This became clear during an online meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee for the cross-border programme.

 The forum was co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Denitsa Nikolova and Zoran Dimitrovski - Deputy Minister of Local Self-Government of the Republic of North Macedonia.  Claudia Foirle from the Directorate General Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission also participated.

"Our long-standing joint work on the programme has proved its importance for the development of the cross-border region, the discovery of the rich cultural, historical and natural heritage and the creation of close socio-economic potentials," said Deputy Minister Nikolova.  She said that since the beginning of the current programming period between the two countries, 65 projects have been funded for nearly 15.5 million euros.  In her words, the successful results so far provide a good basis for elaborating a common vision for development, stability, regional and European integration in the new programming period as well.  "Institutions and organisations on both sides of the border continue to seek and find effective and sustainable solutions to specific common problems, develop and maintain partnerships, successfully implement joint projects and have joint intentions to expand areas of cross-border cooperation," Deputy Minister Nikolova said.

The results of the preparation of the cross-border programme for the new period 2021-2027, its objectives and priorities in support of the balanced development of the cross-border region were also reported during the meeting.

The EC representative and the participants in the Monitoring Committee supported the implementation of the strategic project for the construction of the border crossing point "Klepalo" between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, which will connect the municipality of Strumyani and Berovo.    Its indicative cost is about 4 million euro EU contribution, which will be complemented by national co-financing.  The funds will be used to build the missing road section to the border, as well as the facilities needed for the checkpoint, while the Republic of North Macedonia is expected to rehabilitate the completed routes and upgrade the border facilities.  Over the last few years, our country has upgraded more than 21 km of roads leading to the crossing point, with about 8.8 km still to be built.  Design work is expected to start as early as 2021.

The other strategic direction for the new programming period - the creation of a fund for small projects to finance with EU funds small and medium-sized businesses on both sides of the border - also received support.  It will help companies to modernise their production, digitalise it and upgrade their capacities to reach larger markets.