An agreement has been reached to secure a €2.8 million EU grant for the development of a joint border railway station between North Macedonia and Serbia, a project designed to boost regional connectivity and efficiency. The grant, provided through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), complements an existing €5 million EBRD loan that will finance both construction and technical assistance.

The new rail station will be established in Tabanovce, North Macedonia, along Corridor X—a key route in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) extension for the Western Balkans. The project includes upgrading existing station facilities and constructing new energy-efficient buildings equipped with photovoltaic panels. Once operational, the station will be jointly managed by staff from both countries, streamlining customs procedures and significantly reducing waiting times for both passenger and freight traffic.

Officials have emphasized the broader impact of this initiative. His Excellency Michalis Rokas, EU Ambassador to North Macedonia, noted that the grant supports efforts to upgrade the Corridor X railway system and improve regional integration, turning border challenges into opportunities for enhanced EU connectivity. Fatih Türkmenoğlu, EBRD Head of North Macedonia, highlighted that this project is the result of close collaboration between the EBRD, EU/WBIF, and the relevant authorities, reinforcing the EBRD’s commitment with over €340 million invested in the country’s railway sector to date.

Furthermore, North Macedonia’s First Deputy President and Minister of Transport, Nikoloski, stated that the €7.4 million construction project—with an additional €250,000 allocated for consultancy and supervision—will serve as a one-stop border crossing for both road and rail traffic. He expressed hope that this development could eventually pave the way for re-establishing a regular passenger rail service between Skopje and Belgrade, further boosting economic activity, job creation, and faster transit for goods and passengers.

This project is a key priority under the European Commission’s connectivity agenda for the Western Balkans, poised to transform the region’s transport infrastructure and stimulate significant economic benefits.