The passenger rail connection between Bulgaria and Ukraine through Romania is resumed. This was agreed during a meeting between Minister of Transport and Communications Korman Ismayilov and Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and Minister for the Development of Communities and Territories Oleksiy Kuleba in Kiev. Minister Ismailov is part of a government delegation in Ukraine led by Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov.
Minister Korman Ismailov stressed that Bulgaria supports the initiative and will assist in its rapid implementation. “These are actions with a direct effect on the economy and connectivity in the region. It is important for us to provide an affordable and durable solution that meets the long expectations of citizens and businesses, "he said. According to him, the Bulgarian side will work in close coordination with its Ukrainian and Romanian partners to test the Kiev-Lviv-Chernivtsi-Siret-Suceava-Bucharest-Ruse-Varna-Burgas line this summer. On an annual basis, nearly 250,000 Ukrainian citizens travel to Bulgaria, with the highest intensity during the summer months.
"The launch of a railway connection from Ukraine through Romania to Bulgaria is not only a matter of convenience for citizens, but also an important step towards deeper integration into the European transport space," Oleksiy Kuleba said.
The meeting also discussed the problems of carriers, the development of transport corridors along the north-south axis, as well as the state of road and rail infrastructure in these directions. The two countries agreed to strengthen coordination in the automotive sector and to soon hold a meeting of the Joint Bulgarian-Ukrainian Commission on International Road Transport.
The digitalization of transport services, the introduction of electronic systems for border traffic management, as well as cooperation in the field of shipping safety in the Black Sea were also discussed. The intention was expressed to continue the dialogue and work on the request of the Ukrainian side for the conclusion of an intergovernmental agreement on maritime search and rescue.