North Macedonia may axe key transport link to Bulgaria

Significance

The corridor is considered strategic by the EU, but Mickoski suggested that funding for the project be reallocated instead to upgrading the north-south Corridor X, which connects North Macedonia and Greece with Central Europe through Serbia.

Impacts

• A move to axe Corridor VIII could further delay Skopje’s EU accession process.
• Skopje’s deteriorating relations with Sofia may suffer further.
• Hungarian finance in North Macedonia will likely play an increasingly important role.