North Macedonia loses €60 million EU rail subsidy as it seeks Bulgarian support for EU accession

North Macedonia missed out on an EU IPA programme grant of about €60 million intended for the third section of the Corridor 8 railway to the Bulgarian border because a construction contract was not signed in time. The government is looking for alternative financing through existing loans from European financial institutions while talks with Bulgaria continue on a cross‑border rail tunnel that would link the two countries.

At the same time, Bulgarian MEP Christian Vigenin warned that Macedonia must win the backing of Bulgarian citizens to advance its EU membership bid. Vigenin cited a poll showing Bulgarian public support for EU enlargement overall but a negative view of North Macedonia, urging Skopje to improve its image in Bulgaria and fulfill its commitments.

Both developments highlight the intertwined infrastructure and political challenges facing North Macedonia’s EU accession process.