Bulgaria is reviewing the European Commission's proposals under the Vehicle Technical Roadworthiness Package primarily through the lens of road safety and expects this focus to be maintained in the future. This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadjov, during a meeting of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, held in Luxembourg.
"At a national level, we already have an action plan with specific measures aimed at improving road safety. These include enhanced control using technical and physical means on the roads, as well as prioritising road safety in the planning, design, and construction of road infrastructure," said Grozdan Karadjov. "We welcome the proposed EU-level provisions, as well as their achievement through the implementation of new technologies," the Deputy Prime Minister Karadjov added. He clarified that the proposed ability to track vehicle mileage will help prevent fraud.
Bulgaria called for a responsible approach in the discussion of amendments to the Directive on the weights and dimensions of road vehicles. "As a country with intensive transit traffic, Bulgaria faces significant challenges in maintaining its infrastructure. The increasing number of overloaded vehicles on our roads leads to rising repair and maintenance costs. This must be taken into account when making decisions at the European level," said Minister Karadjov. The Directive was also discussed during a bilateral meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Karadjov and the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Policy of Sweden, Andreas Carlson. During the talks, it was agreed that countries must seek a balanced approach acceptable to all Member States.
In light of the expected increase in air traffic during summer 2025, the need for coordination among all participants in the aviation chain was emphasised. Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadjov commented on Bulgaria's commitment to ensuring smooth airspace operations during the summer. The national air navigation service provider has planned the necessary capacity to ensure that flights operate without delays. To prevent disruptions at airports, inspections of operators and ground handling companies have been launched to verify the availability of staff, equipment, and flexible service organisation.
During the debate on infrastructure financing after 2027, Minister Karadjov stressed the importance of security and crisis response through the development of military mobility capacity. He highlighted the strategic importance for Bulgaria of modernising railway sections along Corridor VIII and constructing a new combined bridge over the Danube.
Regarding the issue of satellite connectivity, discussed at the Council of Ministers for Telecommunications, the Bulgarian position was that such technologies are often the only viable option for ensuring connectivity in remote areas. Moreover, they are crucial in crisis management, securing safety, and protecting critical infrastructure. Grozdan Karadzhov called for effective management of the radio frequency spectrum to ensure a fair balance between existing and emerging technologies.
