North Macedonia did not meet the expectations for constitutional changes and the inclusion of Bulgarians in the country’s constitution, which is a primary condition for starting negotiations with the EU, Germany’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Manuel Sarrazin said for BNR. In his words, the Pan-European Transport Corridor No. 8 is of strategic importance for the region. However, the new government in Skopje claims that it has no interest in building a transport link from the Italian port of Bari, through Albania's Durres, to the Black Sea. 

"Transport corridors in Europe fall under the competence of Brussels. Personally, I believe that it is not within the power of a single state to alter European priorities in transport policy", said Manuel Sarrazin. "This is a long and complex process involving many different agreements. During my talks in Sofia, I understood that Bulgaria is puzzled and concerned by this stance from Skopje",  said Manuel Sarrazin.