Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

  The Minister of Transport Peter Mutafchiev and the Minister of Transport and Communication of the Greek Republic Michalis Ljapis signed today a common protocol.

The both ministers declared that additional transport connections between Bulgaria and Greece are needed because of this reason the both countries showed their willingness to coordinate all activities, necessary for the opening of three supplementary road sectors:  ( Komothini  - Machaza  - Kardjali, Ksanti - Echinos - Eleidie - Rudozem, Kiprinos - Ivailovgrad ). Minister Ljapis announced that the value of these projects is expected to be about 200 Millions Euro.  Two additional, important tourist passages, which were discussed during the meeting, were: (Zlatograd - Kavalla and Smoljan - Arda - Drama). Minister Mutafchiev emphasized the possibility to build the two passages up to the year 2008, because of their low prime cost.

The both sides agreed to create a common workgroup which to discuss the potential for the development of a wide air transport network in Southeast Europe (SEAT -NET). It will connect capital cities, towns and regions of Southeast Europe and will support the economic growth and the encouragement of the commerce and the telecommunications. The development of air transport network in Southeast Europe (Seat -Net) will correspond to the European legislation framework in the sector air transport and especially to the regulation of the access of the air carriers to the domestic air corridors of the Union.

The two ministers came to an agreement that a team of experts from the both countries shall work for:

• creation of framework for cooperation regarding the airport transport in Southeast Europe;
• development of agreement text project, which to include all countries in Southeast Europe
• Mutafchiev and Ljapis expressed their satisfaction from the agreement signed on May 4, 2006 in Thessaloniki, regarding the development of hi-speed railway network in Southeast Europe.

The necessity of coordinated actions, which to reduce the travel time and to improve the passenger's service quality, was also discussed. An agreement will be developed by both sides' experts, regarding the work of the trans-boundary railway transport.

Besides, the both ministers agreed to develop freight railway operations between the ports Burgas and Varna, Thessaloniki and Alexandropoulos. Experts from both sides will examine the parameters of these operations, in order to prepare a cooperation agreement. In this regard a tentative freight-train will be put into operation as soon as possible, in order to evaluate that common initiative.

The ministers of transport of the    both countries declared their willingness to cooperate in the framework of the European program for satellite navigation GALILEO. The development of GALILEO and its putting into practice in Southeast Europe is a priority for Bulgaria and Greece.

At the end the both sides expressed their satisfaction from the friendly atmosphere and the constructive dialogue of the meeting.

For additional information:
Kostadin Vardev, Press Centre,
Ministry of Transport
Phone: 940 96 20
E-Mail: kvardev@mt.government.bg

The Greek Minister of Transport Michalis Ljapis greeted the Bulgarian Minister of Transport with the accession of Bulgaria to the European Union and expressed his readiness   grant the Greek experience in the field of transport.

In this regard, the two ministers will closely cooperate on all levels within the framework of the EU Transport Council an in other European Institutions.