site.btaPrime Minister Radev Says Connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye Will Determine Future of Region

Meeting with Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu here on Thursday, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that the future of the region will increasingly be determined by connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye as a factor in the development of Southeastern Europe, creating new opportunities for exchange between Europe and Asia. Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgi Peev also attended the meeting, the government information service said.

There was broad agreement that connectivity is important not only during crises, but also for the region’s stability, economic exchange, and investment climate. It also helps attract investment in the development of projects across all modes of transport, road, air, and rail, as well as in digital technologies and the energy sector.

In this regard, Prime Minister Radev also highlighted the importance of the Edirne–Lesovo–Elhovo–Yambol railway line, which is to be built as an alternative route to the railway line passing through the heavily congested Kapitan Andreevo–Kapıkule border crossing.

The meeting highlighted that joint work on green energy transmission corridors, as well as routes for the transit of natural gas to Europe, is in the interests of both countries.

Prime Minister Radev also noted that the cross-border energy connection between Bulgaria and Turkiye is of great importance to the region. He added that the conditions created to adapt the agreement between Bulgargaz and BOTAS to current market conditions are already leading to renewed interest from neighboring countries in natural gas deliveries via this route.

At the beginning of next summer, significant interest is expected in Bulgaria and the city of Burgas, where the Eurovision Song Contest will be held. In this context, the two sides also noted the good cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkiye in managing air traffic and emphasized the importance of Istanbul Airport in helping Burgas Airport accommodate visitors wishing to attend the musical event next May.

“For Bulgaria, Turkiye is not only a neighbour and a friend, but also a key partner in a number of areas of cooperation, including security, migration, energy, and transport connectivity,” Prime Minister Rumen Radev said in June during his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.