Skopje, 26 August 2026
Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, attended the start of works on the Skopje–Blace motorway.
Stressing that the Skopje–Blace motorway will strengthen the infrastructure link between the two countries, Prime Minister Kurti noted that its importance extends beyond infrastructure, as it will shorten travel distances, facilitate movement, and create new opportunities for cooperation for citizens and the economies of both countries.
“We are two countries with a high volume of movement of citizens on both sides of the border. Our families, students, workers, professionals and businesses travel between Kosovo and North Macedonia every day. Around 54,000 trucks pass through the Hani i Elezit customs point each year, or approximately 150 trucks a day. Therefore, every new kilometer of road that brings us closer together is an investment in the lives of our citizens and in the economic development of both countries. This motorway will make this movement faster, safer and more efficient,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that the motorway is of strategic importance, and also mentioned Railway Line 10 and the joint project for the Prizren–Tetovo Road.
Full Speech by Prime Minister Kurti:
Honourable Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr Afrim Gashi,
Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr Hristijan Mickoski,
Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr Aleksandar Nikoloski,
Honourable Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr Dimal Basha,
Distinguished representatives of the European Union and the EBRD,
Distinguished members of the Governments of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Kosovo,
Distinguished representatives of the Albanian community,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished guests,
I am pleased to be here with you at this moment when we are laying the foundations for a new and modern connection between our two countries.
The Skopje–Blace motorway, with five tunnels, eight bridges and four viaducts, will significantly strengthen the infrastructure link between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia.
But its importance extends beyond infrastructure. In addition to shortening travel distances and facilitating movement, it will create new opportunities for cooperation for the citizens and economies of our two countries.
We are two countries with a high volume of movement of citizens on both sides of the border. Our families, students, workers, professionals and businesses travel between Kosovo and North Macedonia every day. Around 54,000 trucks pass through the Hani i Elezit customs point each year, or approximately 150 trucks a day. Therefore, every new kilometer of road that brings us closer together is an investment in the lives of our citizens and in the economic development of both countries.
This motorway will make this movement faster, safer and more efficient. At the same time, it will give our businesses greater opportunities to move goods, expand their markets and establish new partnerships.
In Kosovo, we are working to further strengthen our infrastructure links with neighboring countries and with European corridors, and today’s project is concrete evidence of this vision.
This motorway is part of the European TEN-T network and of the strategic connection that brings Skopje closer to Prishtina through Kosovo and, further, to European networks and markets.
Railway Line 10 is also part of this vision, connecting Kosovo with North Macedonia. The Prizren–Tetovo project, through a tunnel, is likewise part of this vision, and we are also implementing it jointly. These projects are giant bridges of development, cooperation and closer ties between our citizens.
Therefore, it is highly significant that the implementation of this project is beginning today, a project that has been promised for many years and that is of such great importance to both our countries and our citizens.
On this occasion, I would like to thank the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia and all those who have contributed to enabling the implementation of this project to begin. Special thanks also go to the coalition of Albanian political parties for their contribution to good and successful work in the service of citizens and cooperation between our two countries.
Congratulations on the start of works on the motorway of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Kosovo, and to all citizens who will use this road.
Thank you very much!
