An initiative for a cross-border Balkan corridor that will provide testing of connected and automated cars to Western Europe was launched during the first Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Ivaylo Moskovski, together with his Greek counterpart on Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media Nikos Pappas and the Serbian State Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Tatjana Matic, signed a letter of intent on cooperation in the field of connected and automated driving.
Ivaylo Moskovski noted that the main objective of the initiative is to improve the road safety, the traffic efficiency and the driving comfort. "Owing to the technology, drivers will be able to make the right decisions and adapt to the traffic situation. At the same time, the project will have a positive impact on the environment and the innovations will be stimulated, "he added.
The Bulgarian Minister said that the commitments for Bulgaria are mainly related to the provision of appropriate testing infrastructure. He added that proposals were drawn up when constructing roads and new highways to be build canals, pipes and fiber optic connection shafts to allow the realization of 5G networks for related driving. An opportunity for providing the spectrum determined for the tests is provided.
The general opinion of the participants in the event was that the inclusion of Serbia in the tests is also in line with the initiative on integration of the Western Balkans into the values of Europe through the participation of countries in the region in joint projects, together with EU Member States.
The three countries need to synchronize the safety-related legislation during testing, access to the information needed for connected and automated driving and business contacts to clarify details of the actual conduct of the tests.
The signing of the document was within the Digital Assembly, 2018 in Sofia. In his closing remarks as host of the forum, Minister Ivaylo Moskovski thanked the Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel for his excellent cooperation. He also expressed his gratitude to all representatives of the European Commission and the Bulgarian government who worked jointly, both for the organization of the Digital Assembly and for the progress on important dossiers within the framework of the First Bulgarian Presidency. The Bulgarian achievements for the past six months have praised by Commissioner Maria Gabriel, the representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission and ministers from the Balkan countries who participated in the final session.
