Minister Krasimira Stoyanova: Along Corridor VIII in Bulgaria, investments in railway infrastructure exceed BGN 3 billion

Investments in railway infrastructure in the directions from Corridor VIII Sofia-Plovdiv-Burgas and Karnobat-Sindel-Varna exceed BGN 3 billion. This includes all projects already completed and those in progress. We are actively working to finalize the activities for the implementation of the project for the railway connection with the RSM of about 2.4 km, which is planned for financing under the "Transport Connectivity" Program 2021-2027. To achieve this goal, funds from both the Cohesion Fund and the Connecting Europe Facility are used. The construction of Corridor VIII is a consistent and long-standing policy of the ministry, they said.

This was said by the Minister of Transport and Communications Krasimira Stoyanova at the opening of the "Railway Forum-2024", which is being held today and tomorrow at the Federation of Scientific and Technical Unions in Sofia.

Within the framework of the forum, it was emphasized that the Ministry of Transport and Communications continues its active work on the modernization of the railway infrastructure in accordance with the standards of speed, safety and security. Every effort is made to purchase new rolling stock so that the advantages of rail transport, not only in terms of its environmental friendliness, but also related to the speed and comfort of travel, are clearly felt. Minister Stoyanova emphasized the fact that for the first time the purchase of new electric locomotives will be financed from the "Transport Connectivity" Program 2021-2027, as well as the huge delay in our country in the renovation of passenger trains.

I count on and expect your expert and professional discussion to help the ministry in developing the future programs of the EU for the period after 2027 - with these words Minister Stoyanova wished success to today's session.

The forum is organized by the Union of European Associations of Railway Engineers and was opened by the president of the organization, Eng. Olaf Scholz-Knobloch. During the two-day event, reports will be presented by leading German, Austrian, Italian, Swiss, French and Bulgarian specialists in the field of railway transport.