site.btaMore Danube Bridges Needed, But Ferry Links Are an Option Too - PM Zhelyazkov

Bulgaria is trying to convince its Romanian partners of the importance of new bridges across the Danube, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said on Saturday, as quoted by the government information service. The Prime Minister inspected the site for a future Danube River port terminal at Tutrakan. He was accompanied by Tutrakan Mayor Dimitar Stefanov and Bulgaria's Ambassador to Romania Radko Vlaykov.

Zhelyazkov said the Bulgarian government understands Romania's budget difficulties and has considered other options in addition to bridges. The Prime Minister has invited his Romanian counterpart Ilie Bolojan to a working meeting to discuss connections across the Danube, which, according to Zhelyazkov, will bring exceptional benefits to both countries.

He noted that for the Tutrakan Port Terminal to start operating, certain modest investments must be made and a concessionaire must be selected. The infrastructure must be built. The concession analyses will be ready by the end of this year, and Zhelyazkov hopes that a concessionaire will be selected by this coming spring. "The most important thing is to establish the interest of businesses," he stressed.

Mayor Stefanov stated that businesses not only in Tutrakan but also in the neighbouring municipalities have expressed a great need for better connectivity between Bulgaria and Romania. This will improve trade relations and tourism and will facilitate the hiring of labour on both sides of the Danube.

"This ferry is extremely necessary and will fill a gap. There is absolutely no connection for 100 kilometres. We must compensate for the lack of bridges with ferry lines," Ambassador Vlaykov said.

The port terminal is included in the updated action plan for government concessions for the period 2021–2027, with options being considered for expanding the activities carried out and adding to the port services provided through handling of ro-ro cargo. The Romanian side has expressed interest, as well as readiness to participate in servicing the river transport link, the Bulgarian government added in its press release.