Prespa Lake Area border guard station: Establishment of the border crossing point between Greece and Republic of North Macedonia at the Prespa Lake Area

Acronym: BorPres2
Start Date: 14/02/2025
End Date: 13/02/2028
Call: 2nd Targeted Call for Strategic Focus on Prespas Area
Type: Strategic
Website: http://www.borpres.eu

Priority

PRIORITY 2 - Strategic focus on Prespas area

Specific Objective

RSO3.2. Developing and enhancing sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent and intermodal national, regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross-border mobility

Project Description

Summary

The BorPres2 strategic project, with a total budget of €7,727,272, aims to improve cross-border connectivity and promote economic development in the region by establishing a new border crossing at Lemos/Markova Noga that will significantly reduce travel time between Lemos (Greece) and Resen (North Macedonia), from over 2 hours to just 40 minutes. This improvement in accessibility is expected to enhance cross-border mobility, facilitate economic and cultural exchanges, and boost tourism in the Prespa region.

The project, set to be implemented over 36 months, includes the construction of a new customs and police control building in Greece and the renovation of the existing police station in North Macedonia. This new crossing will significantly reduce travel time between Lemos and Resen, from over two hours to just 40 minutes, greatly enhancing accessibility and mobility. The improved connectivity is expected to facilitate economic and cultural exchanges and boost tourism in the Prespa region. The border crossing will allow the passage of cars and passenger vehicles with a capacity of up to ten people. The passage of trucks and tourist buses will not be permitted to prevent excessive strain on the region due to high tourist traffic and to ensure the preservation of its natural and cultural environment

Beyond border infrastructure, the project will also support the creation of a unique cross-border hiking trail, connecting the villages of Agios Germanos (Greece) and Brajčino (North Macedonia) via the new border crossing. Developed by the municipalities of Resen and Prespes, the trail will pass through some of the region’s most remarkable natural and cultural landmarks, offering a unique experience for visitors and enhancing eco-tourism.

The Lead partner is the Region of Western Macedonia and participating entities include the Ministry of Interior of North Macedonia, the Hellenic Ministry of Interior (Macedonia-Thrace sector) and the Municipalities of Resen and Prespes.