Strategic project “Establishment of a new border cross check point (BCCP) Strumyani-Berovo (“Klepalo”) between Bulgaria and North Macedonia”

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Priority / Specific objective:

Priority 2 - More connected border region

RSO3.1 - Developing a climate resilient, intelligent, secure, sustainable and intermodal TEN-T 

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Partners:

LP: Regional Administration Blagoevgrad

PP2: Ministry of Finance - Customs Administration of the Republic of North Macedonia

Project summary:

The strategic project "Establishment of a new border cross check point (BCCP) Strumyani-Berovo (“Klepalo”) between Bulgaria and North Macedonia" is part of the efforts to develop infrastructure and improve cross-border cooperation between the two countries. The project arose in the context of an agreement between the governments of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, signed in April 1999, which provides for the opening of new international road border crossing points (BCCP) Strumyani - Berovo. 

The joint expert commission for determining the technical parameters of the new Strumyani - Berovo border crossing started its work in March 2022 and agreed on the following: construction of two separate border points, respectively on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia; the border point will be for the passage of passenger and cargo vehicles with a total technically permissible maximum mass of up to or equal to 3.5 tons; mode of operation of the border crossing on all days of the week (24/7); updated measurements for a geodetic intersection point and a joint protocol drawn up by the Real Estate Cadastre Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia and the "Geodesy and Cartography" Department of the Directorate General "Border Police" of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria. 

Under Priority axis 4 "Technical assistance" of the Interreg-IPA Bulgaria-North Macedonia Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2014-2020, preparatory activities of the strategic project for the construction/rehabilitation of a new Strumyani-Berovo border crossing were carried out, incl. preparation of conceptual projects, technical documentation, including an indicative bill of quantities for the construction of border infrastructure for the two countries. 

The main objective of the project is to improve regional connectivity and stimulate the economic growth of the program territory by facilitating the growing traffic of people and goods between the two countries, strengthening communication links and improving access to the main transport network, including the connection to corridors IV and VIII . 

The project includes the following activities: 

• Phase I at the Bulgarian partner: public procurement procedures, environmental procedures, structural plan and technical design, approval of the technical design, compliance with the regulatory framework, project management, communication and visibility, equipment delivery; 

• Phase I at the Macedonian partner: public procurement procedures, structural planning and design, documentation evaluation, project management, communication and publicity, equipment delivery; 

• Phase II for both countries: reconstruction of the facility at the Berovo border crossing in North Macedonia and construction of a new border facility at the Strumyani border crossing in Bulgaria. 

Result indicators: 

PSI2 Increase in border crossings - Result indicator target value 722 700.00 - Number of border crossings 

Program output indicator: 

PSI1 BCCP facility constructed/upgraded  - Initial target: 1.00 border crossing Strumyani - Berovo built/modernized and put into operation