Railway connection with Bulgaria until 2022 and rehabilitation of the complete railroad infrastructure was announced Tuesday by Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski at an event marking the first railway connecting Thessaloniki and Veles and the 141st anniversary of Macedonian Railways Company.

Congratulating the company on the milestone, Janakieski said it was the Government's intention railway connection between Macedonia and Bulgaria to become a reality in 2022.

"141 years is a period worthy of esteem, but it is the wish of the Government and myself a railway between Macedonia and Bulgaria to be put into service in 2022. It is a project that has already been launched. The first section from Kumanovo to Beljakovce is already being constructed and funds have been provided for the remaining two sections," stated Janakieski at a formal opening of two-day sporting games observing the 141st jubilee of Macedonian Railways.

Referring to investments in railways, the minister announced that construction works for Bitola-Kremenica section - an investment of 20 million euros - were set to begin by year's end.

Other investments include reconstructions of Corridor 10 sections estimated at 18.6 million euros.

Thessaloniki-Veles railroad was inaugurated in 1873. That same year, construction of the first line in Macedonia, between Thessaloniki and Skopje, was completed and the first train arrived at the Skopje railroad station.