Minister Gvozdeikov: A "fast track" is needed for strategic infrastructure projects

We need to provide a "fast track" and change the slow administrative procedures that stop almost all major infrastructure projects in transport. This was stated by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Georgi Gvozdeikov, at the Forum for Connectivity 2024, which is being held in Burgas.

According to him, Bulgaria is not behind other European countries in terms of construction, but there are not a few cases in which, due to the completion of documents and permits, there is a delay of several years, which is unacceptable, explained Gvozdeikov.

The second Danube bridge between Ruse and Gyurghevo will be included in the main European transport network and the new priority corridor "Baltic Sea - Black Sea - Aegean Sea", with extension to Ukraine and Moldova, Georgi Gvozdeikov announced. The corridor will provide a link between the three seas and develop the combined cargo and passenger transport flows. "In the context of the changed geopolitical situation, it is necessary, together with Romania and Greece, to work actively to improve the road and railway connectivity in the North-South direction, which will enable the fast and safe passage of the expected large volume of traffic. Our aim is also to make a connection between the Greek ports on the Aegean Sea and the Bulgarian Black Sea ports by means of rail transport. This will provide an alternative to the Bosphorus route," the minister added.

Georgi Gvozdeikov pointed out that transport connectivity is one of the most important elements of integration. According to him, Corridor 8 will play a significant role in connecting the Black and Adriatic seas, with the port of Durres serving as a strategic link between Italian ports on the Adriatic and Bulgarian ports on the Black Sea.

With the help of European funding, the priority is the completion of the modernization of the Sofia-Plovdiv-Burgas railway line and the progress of the railway connection between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, said the Minister of Transport. Other major infrastructure projects in the direction of corridor #8 are the completion of facilities on the Karnobat - Sindel railway line, as well as the construction of railway connections to the airports in Plovdiv and Burgas.

The forum is organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Bulgaria. The event was attended by H.E. Irene Maria Plank, Ambassador of Germany to Bulgaria, Maria Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth (2019-2023), Rosen Plevneliev, President of Bulgaria (2012-2017), Dimitar Nikolov, Mayor of Burgas Municipality and other.