First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Bekim Sali attended today the ceremony marking the start of works on the Skopje–Blace motorway, a project of strategic importance for infrastructure connectivity, economic development and strengthened cooperation between North Macedonia and Kosovo.
The ceremony was attended by President of the Assembly Afrim Gashi, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikolloski, Mayor of Čair Izet Mexhiti, Mayor of Tetovo Bilall Kasami, as well as representatives of institutions and other guests.
In his address, Sali stressed that the start of construction represents much more than an infrastructure investment, describing it as an investment in connecting people, families, businesses and markets of the two countries.
“By launching the works on this motorway, we are also laying the cornerstone of our shared, integrated and developed future. Following the introduction of the ‘One Stop Shop’ system, the construction of this road means that Skopje and Pristina are becoming even closer. In practical terms, we are building Europe even before becoming members of the European Union,” Sali said.
He underlined that the Skopje–Blace motorway will enable faster and safer mobility, facilitate transport and create better conditions for economic development and regional cooperation.
Sali also emphasised that good-neighbourly relations are not measured only by declarations, but by concrete projects – roads that are built, bridges that connect, borders that are easier to cross and new opportunities created for citizens.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the project will open a new chapter of cooperation, with more interconnected economies, citizens brought closer together and an increasingly tangible shared European perspective.
