Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

The Minister of Transport Peter Mutafchiev will meet tomorrow, February 24, 2009 his Rumanian colleague Radu Berchanu in Kalafat. During the talks the both ministers will discuss several questions regarding the regional cooperation in the field of transport, as well as the possibilities for the fast realization of the priority infrastructure projects of the two countries.

The ministers of Bulgaria and Rumania will consider also the stage of accomplishment of the new combined bridge over the river Danube between Bulgaria and Rumania near Vidin-Kalafat. Also discussed will be the measures for improvement of the coordination between the two countries connected with the building of the new bridge and the surrounding infrastructure on Rumanian territory, as well as the acceleration of the steps for creation of administration structure for the management of the new bridge. Also considered will be the acceleration of the ratification from Rumanian side of the agreement regarding the labor low, the social insurances the healthy and safety working conditions in connection with the building of the bridge.

During the conversations the question for the future construction of bridge-connections between the two countries will be also matter of consideration, as well as the achievement of eventual bilateral agreement or common declaration. The Bulgarian side will declare again its willingness and readiness for the building of new bridges over the river Danube and will emphasize the position for simultaneous start of the projects for construction of bridge facilities near Oriahovo-Beket and Silistra-Kalarash.

Minister Mutafchiev will ask for new consideration of some decrees part of the Agreement signed in February 2007 between the Government of Bulgaria and the Government of Rumania regarding the work of the railway cross-border transitions in the context of the membership of the two countries in the European Union.

The preparation of common functional air space block will be also discussed. The Bulgarian side will confirm its support for the cooperation between SE "ATSA" and "ROMATSA" in this direction, as well as in regard of the accomplishment of the requirements of the European Union for Single European Sky. This coordinated approach of the two countries is very important condition in order to convince the partners from the European Union that the future functional block will be one of the stable elements in the Single European Sky.

For additional information:
Vera Deianova, Press Centre,
Ministry of Transport
Phone: 940 95 34
E-Mail: vdeianova@mt.government.bg