Preparation of investment project for border checkpoint “Strumyani-Berovo” starts

The Joint Expert Commission between Bulgaria and North Macedonia gave the green light for the preparation of the investment project for the construction of the new border checkpoint point between Strumyani and Berovo. This was announced at a meeting of the commission in Sofia. The Commission also decided on the type and location of the new crossing point. Border control will be carried out by both countries, and it is envisaged that there will be separate buildings for the inspection services on both sides of the border furrow.

Experts from both sides were tasked with determining the main technical characteristics of the road links, the location of the route, the intersection with the border, the location of the new border checkpoint, the necessary infrastructure, the buildings, the types of cargo, and the mode of operation, legal and regulatory issues. An expert committee of the Road Infrastructure Agency is also to select an option for the construction of a 17-kilometre section between the border and Strumyani and conduct the necessary environmental procedures. The construction of the section is included in the Agency’s investment programme.

The construction of the border checkpoint “Strumyani-Berovo” will be financed with more than 10 million euro from the cross-border cooperation programme between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia 2021-2027 managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

By decisions of the Council of Ministers, the Blagoevgrad Regional Governor was appointed to commission the design and construction of the checkpoint.