site.btaBlack Sea – Aegean Sea Corridor Seen as Tool for Regional Development, Says Ivanov

The Black Sea – Aegean Sea corridor is not only a transport link, but also an instrument for balanced territorial development, for overcoming regional disparities and for creating new opportunities for economic growth in border and less developed areas, said outgoing Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Ivanov, quoted by his ministry’s press service on Friday.

Ivanov took part in the first cooperation meeting within the framework of the Black Sea – Aegean Sea Corridor, established on December 3, 2025, by Bulgaria, Romania and Greece with the support of the European Commission. The Corridor’s main objective is for the three countries to work jointly on the implementation of infrastructure projects along the corridor.

As a priority for Bulgaria, the outgoing Minister highlighted the improvement of transport connectivity, including the modernization of road infrastructure linking the ports of Varna and Burgas with the country’s interior. In this context, the construction of the Black Sea Motorway is of strategic importance, as it will provide the missing high-speed road link along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast and improve connectivity with Romania.

He added that, in parallel, Bulgaria is working on the modernization of existing bridges over the Danube River, the development of new cross-border road links, and better connections between Danube and Black Sea ports in order to improve transport links with Romania.

According to Ivanov, progress in cross-border links with Greece is also important, including the modernization of border checkpoints, the adjacent infrastructure and the construction of new border crossings. He recalled that the Rudozem–Xanthi border checkpoint was opened just days ago and said that the next regional priority is the construction of a crossing between the village of Gorna Arda in Smolyan Region and the Greek town of Paranesti, which will ensure better connectivity between the two countries in the area.

The minister stressed that, from the perspective of regional policy, the Black Sea – Aegean Sea corridor creates opportunities for the development of industrial zones, logistics centres and intermodal terminals that can support local businesses and attract new investment.

Addressing the participants in the meeting, Ivanov said that the establishment of the Corridor is an important step towards better coordination between countries, regions and institutions, as well as more effective use of European funding.

“For Bulgaria, this means an opportunity to align our national and regional priorities with the broader vision for the development of the corridor and to turn strategic goals into concrete, feasible projects,” Ivanov concluded.