site.btaMinisters Discuss Accelerating Transport Connectivity in SE Europe at Sofia Conference

Accelerating transport connectivity in Southeast Europe is in the focus of a ministerial conference hosted by Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov, said Thursday the Ministry of Transport and Communication. The event forms part of Sofia's Presidency of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP). Transport ministers from Ankara, Athens and Pristina attended the conference, as did state secretaries from Bucharest, Belgrade, Skopje and Podgorica. Also present were the Secretary General of the International Transport Forum, Yong Tae Kim, and representatives of the diplomatic missions in Sofia of the SEECP participants. 

At the opening of the forum, Minister Karadjov said that regional connectivity is at the heart of Bulgaria’s presidency and is a key driver of economic development, security, and the region’s integration into European networks.

He added that over EUR 1.5 billion has been invested in modernizing the Sofia-Gyueshevo railway line. He described this as a strategic project and said that it is part of the European corridor “Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean” and will provide a fast connection to the Balkan capitals of Skopje and Tirana. He added that the Sofia-Kalotina line is being modernized with European funding and that progress is being made with Ankara on a project for a new railway link between Yambol, Elhovo, Lesovo and Edirne. 

The transport minister announced that the final section of the Europa Motorway is now complete, and the next step is the Black Sea Motorway, which he described as a project of enormous importance for freight and passenger traffic. He added that a new motorway starting from Ruse and passing under the Balkan Range to reach the southern border is being planned.

Karadjov emphasized the development of the ports of Varna and Burgas, stating that a public-private partnership procedure for the Varna East and West terminals will be launched by the end of 2025. He added that these two terminals are expected to become key logistics gateways between Europe and Asia as part of the Trans-Caspian Corridor.