On 8th September 2012, a cornerstone was set near Demir Kapija, thus marking the start of construction works of a new 28.4 km highway section from Demir Kapija to Smokvica, as part of the Pan-European Corridor 10.

The ceremony was attended by the Prime-Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Mr. Nikola Gruevski, the Vice Prime-Minister and Minister of Finance Mr. Zoran Stavreski, the Vice Prime-Minister Mr. Vladimir Peshevski, the Minister of Transport and Communications Mr. Mile Janakievski, Government Ministers, Members of Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, Directors of public enterprises, state institutions involved in the preparation of the project, the region’s Mayors and others.

The event was also attended by the Ambassador of the European Union Mr. Aivo Orav, representatives of the diplomatic corps in the Republic of Macedonia, and representatives from the European Union Delegation.

This project is co-financed by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) in the amount of 45 million euros from the Regional Development Component, loans provided by the European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and funds from the budget of the Republic of Macedonia (national co-financing).

All speakers at the ceremony emphasized the significance of this project and the completion of the only section of the Corridor 10 in the Republic of Macedonia which has not yet been covered by a highway, considering that it represents a significant artery road infrastructure in the north-south axis from Tabanovce to Gevgelija and that it will enrich the infrastructure with a modern highway built in accordance with all European standards.

It was also pointed out that the construction of this section represents an investment of the highest value in the country since its independence to the present day, and the construction itself will facilitate the communication of all citizens and service users from the European countries, the development of the economy and the exchange of material goods, the reduction of transport, the increase of traffic safety etc.

The setting of the cornerstone in fact marked the beginning of the field works by the Contractor of the construction works.