Accelerating transport connectivity in Southeast Europe was the focus of a Ministerial Conference organized under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov. The event took place within the framework of the Sofia Presidency of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP).
“Regional connectivity is at the heart of our presidency. It is a key driver of economic development, security, and the region’s integration into European networks,” said Minister Karadjov at the opening of the forum.
“We are investing over €1.5 billion in the modernization of the Sofia–Gyueshevo railway line. This is a strategic project, part of the European corridor Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean, and it will ensure a fast connection with Skopje and Tirana,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadjov. “At the same time, we are working on modernizing the Sofia – Kalotina line with European funding, and with Ankara we are advancing a project for a new railway link Yambol – Elhovo – Lesovo – Edirne. This is our vision for genuine regional connectivity,” said Karadzhov.
“The final section of the Europe Motorway is now a fact. Our next step is the Black Sea Motorway – a project of great importance for freight and passenger traffic between North and South,” the Transport Minister noted. “We are planning a new motorway starting from Ruse, which will pass under the Balkan Mountains and reach our southern border,” Karadzhov emphasized.
The development of the ports of Varna and Burgas is among the leading priorities. “By the end of 2025, we are launching a public-private partnership procedure for the Varna-East and Varna-West terminals. They will become key logistic gateways between Europe and Asia, as part of the Trans-Caspian (Middle) Corridor,” stated the Deputy Prime Minister.
The conference was attended by Ministers of Transport from Ankara, Athens, and Pristina; State Secretaries from Bucharest, Belgrade, Skopje, and Podgorica; as well as the Secretary-General of the International Transport Forum, Young Tae Kim, and representatives of the diplomatic missions in Sofia of the participants in the South-East European Cooperation Process.
