Bulgaria and German Envoy Sarrazin react to North Macedonia’s proposal to redirect funds from Corridor 8 to Corridor 10

The government of Bulgaria has reacted to recent proposals by Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski to redirect funds from Corridor 8 to Corridor 10. The Bulgarian government asserts that Corridor 8 is crucial for enhancing the EU’s geostrategic autonomy and acts as a significant logistics route along NATO’s southern flank, extending from the Adriatic to the Black Sea. Delays in developing this corridor compromise the alliance’s security.

Germany’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Corridor VIII holds strategic importance for the region and that no single state has the authority to modify European transport policy priorities.

Context

Corridor 8, one of the major trans-European transport networks (TEN-T), holds significant strategic, economic, and geopolitical importance. Stretching from the Adriatic Sea to the Black Sea, this corridor connects Italy, Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria, facilitating a crucial east-west route across the Balkans. The corridor significantly improves connectivity between the Western Balkans and the European Union, supporting the economic and political integration of these countries with the rest of Europe. For countries aspiring to join the European Union, such infrastructure projects demonstrate a commitment to meeting EU standards and improving regional connectivity, benefiting their accession processes.

Corridor 10 is a north-south route across the Balkans that enhances connectivity between Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece. It improves access to markets and services, aiding in the economic and political integration of these countries.

North Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria expressed their commitment to invest on connectivity along Corridor 8 in a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2021.

Italy and Bulgaria have actively advocated for EU funding for Corridor 8 and have secured its prioritization under the EU’s “Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean” transport corridor. In July 2023, Italy hosted a meeting of the foreign ministers of Albania, Bulgaria and North Macedonia to launch a platform for political dialogue and cooperation between the countries along Corridor 8.