Macedonia gets an European Commission's grant worth 59.5 million Euros, out of which 45 million Euros are intended for completing the Demir Kapija-Smokvica motorway section, which is part of Corridor X. Additionally, 14.5 million Euros are allocated for a waste water treatment plant in Prilep.

Vice PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski, Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski, Environment Minister Abdilaqim Ademi and Jean-Marie Seyler, Director in EU's Directorate General for Regional Policy, signed on Friday two infrastructural projects, co-financed by the European Commission through the IPA Instrument for Regional Development.

In addition to 45 million euros provided through the IPA Regional Development Component, 130 million euros have been provided by the European Investment Bank, 90 million euros by the European Band for Reconstruction and Development as well as 6 million euros by the Macedonian Agency for State Roads. "These funds have entirely completed the financial plan for construction of a modern motorway section between Demir Kapija and Smokvica. It contributes to completing Corridor X - the main transport network passing through Macedonia linking us with Europe to the north and with the Thessaloniki Port to the south," Vice PM Stavreski said after the signing ceremony.

A construction company should be selected at a tender by mid-2012, after which the construction will be officially launched, according to him.

The Prilep waste water treatment plant, Stavreski stated, is the first in a series of projects that will be realized with EU funds. The Macedonian government will single out six million euros from the budget for the project.

"These are the two out of several projects realized within the third regional component from the pre-accession assistance instrument in amount of 202 million Euros to finance additional projects in connection to road and railroad transportation," Vice PM Stavreski said.

Only major infrastructural projects can boost the competitiveness of the national economy and trigger economic growth and development in the country, according to him. "They are beneficial for the citizens and also contribute to Macedonia's EU integration," Stavreski noted.

EU's Seyler stressed that the construction of a motorway section on Corridor X was crucial for Macedonia, its neighbors and for the EU.

"While executing such projects, governments need to apply European values i.e. quality to be offered for the money invested and to take measures for protecting the environment. It is important the projects to be completed on time, otherwise some of the funds may be lost," he said.

The construction of Demir Kapija-Smokvica motorway section is expected to be completed by 2017.

The waste water treatment plant in Prilep will be constructed as of mid-2012. The plant is envisaged to preserve surface and underground waters in the region of Prilep, to improve the quality of agricultural products and to advance the environment.