Том 2 - Тенденции и предизвикателства в развитието на ...

THE RAILWAY CONNECTION BETWEEN MACEDONIAAND BULGARIA: MODE OF STRENGTHENINGECONOMIC COLLABORATIONAssоc. prof. PhD 269 Riste TemjanovskiUniversity „Goce Delcev" - Stip, MacedoniaMacedonia sees the Black Sea region as a crucial geographical areaprimarily due to its significance in trade and energy routes. However, inthe Macedonian case, the Black Sea region is seen in a narrowperspective regarding security issues, but in wider perspectives regardingeconomic and trade relations. Most freight and passenger traffic betweenthe Macedonia and Bulgaria is transported by road. From a commercialpoint of view, Bulgaria is one of the fifths trading partners forMacedonia, and its business cooperation with these countries hasincreased in importance.One mode of transport is consistently predominant and favored forMacedonian economy. Road transport was the main mode of transportused for trade with all trade countries with 92% by value and 89% byvolume over the five years. Also showing a higher percentage in terms ofvolume than value, rail transport accounted only between 12-20% byvolume and between 5-10% by value.But what about the rail. Up to nowadays Macedonia and Bulgariaare not rail connected. The idea of connection directly Sofia and Skopjeby rail dates back to mid-19 th century. Two decades are planning the railconstruction between Kumanovo-Beljakovce, towards the Bulgarianborder to the east. This branch may be the first section of the linkbetween the Macedonian Railways and the Bulgarian Railways, onCorridor VIII.Investing in rail infrastructure is associated with lower total traveltime, higher comfort and reliability, reduction in the probability of269Ass. Prof. Riste Temjanovski, PhD, Goce Delcev" University – Faculty of Economics– Stip, R.of Macedonia, .e-mail: riste.temjanovski@ugd.edu.mk331