SOFIA – A ministerial conference focused on enhancing transport connectivity in Southeast Europe was held under the guidance of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdian Karadzhov, as reported by the ministry’s press center. This event is part of Sofia’s presidency of the Cooperation Process in Southeast Europe.
“Regional connectivity is central to our presidency. It is crucial for economic growth, security, and integrating the region into European networks,” Minister Karadzhov stated during the forum’s opening.
We are investing more than 1.5 billion euros to modernize the railway line from Sofia to Gyueshevo (Western Bulgaria, bordering the Republic of North Macedonia). This strategic project is part of the European corridor “Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean,” ensuring a fast connection to Skopje and Tirana, he added. “Additionally, we are modernizing the Sofia – Kalotina line with European funds and progressing with Ankara on a new railway project linking Yambol (Southeastern Bulgaria) – Elhovo – Lesovo – Edirne. This embodies our vision for genuine regional connectivity,” Karadzhov mentioned.
“The final section of the ‘Europe’ highway is complete. Our next goal is the ‘Black Sea’ highway – a vital project for freight and passenger transport in both directions,” the transport minister noted. “We plan to build a new highway starting from Ruse (on the Danube River) that will go under the Stara Planina to our southern border,” Karadzhov explained.
The enhancement of the ports in Varna and Burgas (Eastern Bulgaria) is also a top priority. By the end of 2025, we will commence a public-private partnership process for the Varna-East and Varna-West terminals. These will serve as crucial logistics hubs between Europe and Asia, part of the Trans-Caspian (Middle) corridor, the Deputy Prime Minister stated.
The conference saw the participation of transport ministers from Ankara, Athens, Pristina, as well as state secretaries from Bucharest, Belgrade, Skopje, and Podgorica, alongside the Secretary General of the International Transport Forum Yong Tae Kim and diplomatic representatives from the participating countries in Sofia.
This summer, Albania passed the presidency of the Cooperation Process in Southeast Europe to Bulgaria. (October 16)
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