Urgent steps have been taken and the Corridor VIII project is moving forward at an accelerated pace following the meetings of the Joint Committee in Sofia and Skopje. This was stated by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Georgi Peev, speaking to journalists during the International Conference on Corridor VIII, held at the Hyatt Regency Sofia hotel.
The Minister emphasised that there is clear political will to implement the corridor, as evidenced by the first-ever direct engagement with this issue by the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos.
“The deadlines have been set in the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034). Our strategic geographical position makes Corridor VIII a key project not only for the transport network, but also for security and military mobility in the region. Owing to the geopolitical situation, the European Commission, the European Parliament and NATO are making joint efforts to ensure its timely completion” , Georgi Peev explained.
He added that the multimodal corridor is a natural bridge for global transport flows between Europe and Asia, providing a link between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea. Its completion will bring sustainable economic growth and stronger European integration for the countries of the Western Balkans.
Bulgaria is implementing a large-scale programme for the modernisation and construction of railway sections on the TEN-T network, with the main focus on the Sofia – Pernik – Radomir – Gyueshevo route. Among the concrete results, he highlighted the funding secured and the contract signed for the section from Gyueshevo to the entrance of the cross-border tunnel. The bilateral agreement with North Macedonia also guarantees joint construction and operation of the facility.
The Government is also exploring opportunities for public-private partnerships in the implementation of major road projects, including the Rila Motorway, which will provide direct access from the national road network to the Gyueshevo border crossing point.
“With the support of the European Commission and our international partners, we are confident that we are moving in the right direction towards delivering this strategic link”, the Minister said.
On the sidelines of the forum, Minister Peev held a bilateral meeting with Marian Marinescu, European Coordinator for the “Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean” European Transport Corridor. The two discussed the fact that this is the European corridor with numerous border crossings between EU and Schengen countries and countries that are not yet part of these areas. The shared view expressed during the discussion was therefore that every effort must be made to deliver it.
