Hristo Alexiev and Kostas Karamanlis: We are speeding up the intermodal connectivity project from the Aegean Sea through the Black Sea to the Danube

The intermodal transport corridor Thessaloniki-Kavala-Alexandroupolis-Burgas-Varna-Rousse will soon not be just an ambitious plan, we are determined to make it a reality. This was the general opinion expressed at a meeting today between the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policies and Minister of Transport and Communications Hristo Alexiev and the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Greece Kostas Karamanlis. Rail and road connectivity, as well as cooperation between Bulgarian and Greek ports, was the main topic of the conversation.

A joint venture is to be set up to manage the intermodal connectivity project. Both countries will apply for European funding with a common application form. Deputy Prime Minister Alexiev informed his Greek counterpart that he had a conversation with the European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Valyan (Adina Vălean), in which he presented this idea.

The intermodal project will provide an opportunity to improve transport connectivity not only between Bulgaria and Greece, but also for the entire region. “On the background of the changing transport and energy map in Europe, it will enable the future rapid recovery and modernization of Ukraine. The Thessaloniki-Kavala-Alexandroupolis-Burgas-Varna-Rousse corridor is an alternative to the Bosphorus, where since the beginning of the month the crossing fees have been increased several times”, said Deputy Prime Minister Alexiev.

The project will contribute to an increase in cargo, a reduction in freight charges and travel time. It covers the area and the port infrastructure of Alexandroupolis, which are of strategic importance for the transport and energy security of the entire region, the ministers were emphatic.

The meeting of Deputy Prime Minister Alexiev with Minister Kostas Karamanlis is part of the program of the visit of the Bulgarian delegation to Athens. Ministers of Economy and Industry Nikola Stoyanov and Ministers of Energy Rosen Hristov are also participating in the talks.

Source: https://www.mtc.government.bg