“ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW BORDER CROSS CHECK POINT (BCCP) STRUMYANI-BEROVO (“KLEPALO”) BETWEEN BULGARIA AND NORTH MACEDONIA”

The project proposal is submitted for financing under Policy objective 3 „A more connected Europe by enhancing mobility“, specific objective „Developing sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent and intermodal national, regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross-border mobility“. The common challenge of the programme area jointly tackling in our project is strengthening the regional connectivity and facilitating the increasing traffic of people by developing sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent and intermodal national, regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross- border mobility. The need for strengthening the regional connectivity and to facilitate the increasing traffic of people and goods between Bulgaria and North Macedonia has since long been on the agenda. The regional consultations in 2019 have clearly identified the BCCP Strumyani – Berovo as an investment of strategic importance to be supported by the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria-North Macedonia programme, taking into account the gradual expansion of the socio-economic interlinkages between the two countries due to positive prospects of the EU enlargement. On 14 June 1999 in Skopje, an agreement between the Government of the Macedonia and the Government of Bulgaria for opening new international road Border Crossing Check Points (BCCP) Strumyani – Berovo and Simitli – Pehchevo was signed. Missing links in the CB provision of business services and such of general interest are a main factor behind the negative demographic dynamics that the area exhibits. The lack of infrastructure favouring the provision of services of community and business interest further impose severe social implications including increased social exclusion and inequalities, as well as challenges for recreational service provision, labour markets and housing. The project’s overall objective is "Developing sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent and intermodal national, regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross-border mobility". Having a new BCCP built and operated on both sides of the border the expected changes will be related to facilitating the increasing traffic of people and goods between the two countries; strengthening communication links between the two countries and improving and extending access to core TEN-T, including the connection with Corridors IV and VIII, which is to improve regional connectivity and boost the economic growth of the programme area. The project output is BCCP facility constructed for the Bulgarian part and BCCP reconstructed/upgraded on the part of the Republic of North Macedonia. Main target groups who will benefit from the project are the residents, visitors, and businesses in the CBC area. А functioning BCCP requires the infrastructures on both sides of the border to be built and fully put into operation at the same time. Applying a strong cross-border partnership approach is the only possible one to ensure mutual performance and completion of project activities by both partners for successfully achieving the set project objective. What is new about the project is that the investments under this priority will contribute to the EU external policy by adhering to most up-to-date standards in safeguarding security and border control by establishment of new sustainable climate resilient, intelligent, and intermodal national, regional and local mobility infrastructure to strengthening the regional connectivity and support business activities, including improved access to TEN-T and other important connections.

During the first trimester of the project implementation, the following activities were implemented : The project management teams of both partners were appointed. Prepared declarations for the necessary and qualified project staff for the successful implementation of the project for each of the partners. Prepared and submitted Project procurement plan for the procurement procedures inder the project. Conducted procedure for opening a bank account in Euro for the needs of the project for the lead partner. Prepared and submitted advance payment request. Ongoing Procedure of Registration of the Project in the Sector for European Affairs (SEA) for PP2. Constructive dialogue and fruitful cooperation between partners is a guiding principle in the implementation of the activities. During the second project trimester the following activities were implemented: Lead partner: Under Activity 1.1: Two direct asignment contracts were signed. A contract with the procurement expert and a contract with the environment expert. Under Activity 1.8. An information publicity meeting with the participation of deputy minister of the Ministry of regional development and public works was organized. There were representatives of MRDPW, competent institutions and stakeholders. The mayor of Berovo municipality and the mayor of Strumyani municipality also attended the meeting. There were representative of the Ministry of local self-government of the Republic of North Macedonia. The information for the event was widely spread among different media. Participant list ans a photo arcchive was made. The advance payment was requested and received. Under Activity 1.2. and Activity 1.3: There were conducted several meetings with competent institutions regarding the environmental procedures and the urban planning procedures. There is some delay in the implementation of activity 1.1.2 of LP due to prolonged consultations with the Road infrastructure agency and the need for additional technological time in the preparation of the joint environmental procedure. For this reason, a new request for modification of the project time frame and the Project procurement plan will be sent to the Joint Secretariat. Projecr Partner: Under Activity 2.1.: The tender dossier for Procurement expert 1 was prepared, the tender was published on the web site on the Program and Customs Administration of the RNM Evaluation process is ongoing. Also, the tender dossier for Observer expert 1 was prepared and published on both web sites. Deadline for submission of offers is 23 May 2024. The del. 2.1.1 is partly achieved. The tender documentation for two civil works engineers/architect and technical project coordination and communication officer is not prepared because of the prolonged procedure fo the selection of the procurement expert. Clarification from Joint Secretariat for the participation of the observers from JS in the tender procedure was requested. Market research for procurement of lap top was conducted and technical specification was prepared. Monthly meetings with the Lead Partner were held. Members of the Project Group participated on first on line monitoring meeting held on 26 April 2024, organized by Joint Secretariat (with MLSG, MRD, MRR and LP). The advance payment of 10% referred to LP2 was received in April 2025.However, there is some delay in the implementation of activity 2.1.1of PP2 in the 2nd trimester too, due to prolonged procedures in the 1st trimester. The procedure for engagement of the Procurement expert is completed in the 2nd trimester, while his deliverables are expected in the next trimester. The engagement of the Procurement expert is precondition for the tendering the other experts. During the third project trimester the following activities were implemented: Lead partner: Under Activity 1.1: Three direct asignment contracts were signed. A contract with the the technical expert No РК-79/16.08.2024, a contract with the urban planning expert No РК-78/16.08-2024 and a contract for Information and vosibility measures No РК-63/12.06.2024. The open tender procedure for selecting the consultant to perform the project environmental procedures was announced on16.08.2024. Under Activity 1.2 Environmental procedures: The Investment proposal announcement was developed and submitted to MoEW. in May 2024. A statement letter regarding the next steps to the environmental procedure from the MoEW was received on 4.07.2024. Several meetingd with Road infrastructure Agency was conducted in connection with the common environmental procedure. Under Activity 1.3: On 14.06.2024 a consultative meeting was held with the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, the Legal Directorate, the STATS Directorate and the Territorial Cooperation Management Directorate at the MRDPW. Detailed consultative instructions were given by the competent experts regarding the urban planning procedure under the project. Under Activity 1.7 Project Management: Three online common partner meeting sere held regarding the timely implementation of the activities anf other important project issues. Three meeting minutes were prepared. Under Activity 1.8. The contract for the performane of I&P measures was signed. The communication Plan of the project was made. 4 roll bannera and 4 information plates were designed and made. The facebook page of the project was created. A presentation meeting fpr the project progress was organized. There were participated the Minister of the Ministry of regional development and public works was organized,The Chairman of the Management Board of the Road Infrastructure Agency, the Regional governor of Blagoevgrad region, representatives of the Managing Authority of INTERREG VI-A Bulgaria - North Macedonia,the mayor of Berovo municipality, experts of JS, the project management team members and other experts. The information for the meeting was widely spread among different media. Under Activity 1.9. The Laptop and th PC were delivered. A notification letter for small changes of AF, administrative change of PP2 and a change of the progect coordinator of LP was submitted to the JS. The changes were made and approved by the JS. PP2: Under Activity 2.1.: Of the 5 tender dossiers prepared, 4 were published including: 1. Consultant – Public procurement Observer (tender procedure completed and contract signed on 25.7.2024, expert mobilized); 2. Technical coordinator and visibility expert (tender dossier published on websites of CARNM and INTERREG BG_MK on 29.7.2024, with deadline for submission of offers is 29.8.2024 and opening procedure on 05.9.2024; 3 and 4. Architect 1 and Civil Works Engineer 1 (tender dossiers published on 23.8.2024, deadline for submission of offers on 24.9.2024 and opening procedure on 1.10.2024). Deliverable 2.1.1 has been realized. Regarding activity 2.1.2, related to deliverables D 2.1.2 and D 2.1.9.: The tender dossier has been prepared in the reporting period, but the deliverable 2.1.2 has not been achieved, because after consultation with the Joint Secretariat a need for submission of a modified Project Procurement Plan was identified. After the submission and approval of the PPP, the Deliverable 2.1.2 will be achieved in the next reporting period. Regular online monthly meetings with the Lead Partner were held. Communication with the LP is continuous and satisfactory. Market research for procurement of lap top was conducted and technical specification was prepared and the procurement will be realized as soon as possible. LP: During the fourth trimester the following deliverables have been achieved: Under activity 1.2 Environmental procedures: The joint tender procedure together with Road Infrastructure Agency "Preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA), a Protected Areas Impact Assessment Report for the construction of the Strumyani-Berovo BCCP including the connecting engineering infrastructure and the project for Road III-1008 "Strumyani - Klepalo Border Crossing Point" was announced on August 16, 2024. The Selected Contractor Decision is being prepared. In case of no appeal the Contract with the selected contractor will be signed by the end of 2024. Due to a delay of the tender selection procedure the del. 1.2.2. BG Consultations for defining the scope of the EIA&AA will be achieved in the fifth trimester. Deliverable 1.7.4: Regular online meeting and phone and email communication regarding the technical, managerial and administrative issues have been conducted. Project team meeting minutes have been prepared. A technical in-person meeting with representatives of both partners and the JS was conducted on 8 October 2024 in Berovo. Deliverable 1.8.2. The opening flagship event was not organized and will be postponed in the 5th trimester. The reasons for the postponement of the opening flagship event is the conduction of parliamentary elections, which are organized by the RA Blagoevgrad. However, the Lead partner took part in the flagship event of PP 2 in Berovo, where the stage of the project implementation was presented to a wide audience and a large number of stakeholders. PP2: Regarding activity 2.1.2, related to deliverables D 2.1.2 MKD Tender documentation development for procurement of communication and visibility measures and D 2.1.9.: Tender procedure for procurement of a contract for performance of project communication and visibility measures (first and second phase, printing and delivery), PP2 requested amendment of the Project Procurement Plan related to dividing the line 21 - MKD Public procurement procedure for communication and visibility measures into two lines: MKD Public procurement procedure for communication and visibility measures and new line MKD Public procurement procedure for organization of events, respectively. The JTS approved the required change. The work on preparation of two separate TD is ongoing. Deliverable 2.1.8 is realized, with concluded contracts for all external individual experts, except for the Architect which is expected to be signed by the end of November 2024. MKD Project team, formed within the Customs Administration held regular weekly meetings to discuss the progress of project activities and resolve any obstacles in their implementation (D 2.7.4). Extensive cooperation among project partners continued during the reporting period with regular online meetings. On 8th October 2024 the entire Project team (project partners) had a meeting with the Joint Secretariat members in Berovo to discuss the current issues and next steps. The Opening Flagship Event was held on 7th October 2024 in Berovo, organized by the PP2. D 2.1.10. MKD Tender procedure for the procurement of a contract for all design services: Due to a delay in the achievement of D 2.1.3 MKD Tender documentation development for the procurement of a contract for all design services the D 2.1.10 MKD Tender procedure for the procurement of a contract for all design services is planned to start in Period 5, month 13 - 15. D 2.10.1 MKD Laptop Due to highly priced offers received from potential vendors the PP2 decided to repeat the procedure. The new round of requests for offers was expanded to a greater number of vendors with a deadline to submit their offers until 14.11.2024. There is a delay in the implementation of the D 2.2.1. MKD - Urban plan due to a delay of the implementation of D 2.1.10. MKD Tender procedure for the procurement of a contract for all design services. During the 5th trimester the following activities and deliverables have been implemented: LP: Under Activity: 1.1. Public procurement procedures, D 1.1.2. Public procurement procedure for Environmental procedures is achieved. Link to the tender procedure: https://app.eop.bg/organization/10693/dashboard. The joint tender procedure together with Road Infrastructure Agency "Preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA), a Protected Areas Impact Assessment Report for the construction of the Strumyani-Berovo BCCP including the connecting engineering infrastructure and the project for Road III-1008 "Strumyani - Klepalo Border Crossing Point" was completed and the contractor was selected. On November 25, the Report on the work of the Commission was approved by the Regional Governor. On November 29, 2024, the Decision on the selection of a contractor was prepared and published in the CAIS. On January 6, 2025, the contract with the contractor BT-Engineering EOOD was signed with No. RK-3/06.01.2025. - In the implementation of deliverables 1.2.2 Development of the required documentation and consulting the EIA&AA scope pursuant to the EIA ordinance of Bulgaria - organized and delivered several applications for access to public information have been sent to the Executive Agency for Environment, to the Ministry of Environment and Waters and to the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Waters - Blagoevgrad, RDF Blagoevgrad, RD "Agriculture" Blagoevgrad, Strumyani Municipality, South-West State Enterprise, Basin Directorate "West Aegean Region", Water Supply and Sewerage Blagoevgrad, RHI Blagoevgrad, NIMH, Regional Historical Museum Blagoevgrad. The responses received are provided to the contractors in order to prepare the scope of the EIA assignment. The D 1.2.2 was achieved. D.1.2.3 EIA&AA Scoping Report developed and submitted for approval to MoEW will be forwarded to the 6th trimester due to the the extended time for conducting the tender procedure. Deliverable 1.7.5: Regular online meeting and phone and email communication regarding the technical, managerial and administrative issues have been conducted. Project team meeting minutes have been prepared. Deliverable 1.8.2. The opening flagship event was not organized and will be postponed in the 6th trimester. However a concept for the "opening event" of the project, with a detailed description of the planned activities, persons and institution to be invited and a scenario was prepared and sent to the Joint Secretariat. It was approved by the competent institution. PP 2: The Project team held regular weekly meetings with external experts and officials in the Customs Authority during the period to discuss project implementation and any relevant issues on deliverables. Two Draft tender dossiers have been prepared for Service Contract procurement on communication and visibility measures and Service contract on events organization (Activity 2.1.2). The process of internal approval and their finalization is under way. D 2.1.3 MKD Tender documentation development for the procurement of a contract for all design services originally schedules for period 4 completed in period 5 Regarding D 2.1.4 tender documentation for the tender of a contract for review services was completed with the input of the civil engineer and architect and will be published in the next period. Regarding D 2.1.8 The recruitment of the external experts was completed and the Architect and Civil Engineer and have taken up their positions. Deliverable 2.6.3 MKD Civil engineer / Architects reports is realized and 2 experts submitted their reports Deliverable D 2.9.4 MKD Technical project coordinator and communication officer quarterly report has been submitted, thus this deliverable is achieved. Regarding D 2.10.1 The Project Laptop procurement was completed and is fully serviced. Regarding visibility activities under A 2.8: D 2.8.3 the First Newsletter of the project was developed and published on the web site of the Customs Authority on 25 December 2024. Further Newsletters will be published in the following periods. During Period 6-th trimester following activities have been implemented: LP: A1.2 Notification of competent institutions and affected population about the investment proposal have been made. Notification of the Republic of North Macedonia as affected party under the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context – was notified and the Republic of North Macedonia is not constituted as an affected party under the Convention. D1.2.2 All the required documentation regarding the consulting the EIA&AA scope was prepared and the consultations with competent institutions have been conducted. D 1.2.3 The EIA&AA Scoping report was developed and submitted for approval to MoEW on 8th May 2025. D 1.7.6 There were conducted three monthly online meetings and meeting minutes have been prepared. PP2: The Project team held regular weekly meetings with external experts and officials in the Customs Authority during the period to discuss project implementation and any relevant issues on deliverables. Two Draft tender dossiers for procurement on communication and visibility measures and Service contract on events organization (D 2.1.2) were finalized and internally approved for Service Contract procurement on communication and visibility measures and Service contract on events organization (D 2.1.2). They will be published on 22nd May 2025. D 2.7.6 There were conducted three monthly online meetings and meeting minutes have been prepared. D.2.6.4 The Quarterly Reports from the Architect and civil Engineer were submitted on time and approved. D.2.9.5 Quarterly report on the activities performed by the Technical project coordinator and communication officer was prepared and approved.