Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

Bulgaria was host of the Fifth session of the joint Bulgarian - Albanian workgroup on transport. Coordinator from Bulgarian side is the Deputy Minister of Transport Daniela Nikiforova and from Albanian side the Deputy Minister of Public Affaires, Transportation and Telecommunication Stavri Ristani.

At the beginning of the sitting the heads of the two delegations expressed their common certitude that the meeting is another indication for the good relations between the two countries. The Deputy Minister of Transport declared that these meetings will contribute for the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation in all transport sectors. The mutual goal is the acceleration of the realization of the project for Corridor VIII, the building of good transport connections, as well as the exchange of now-how in the field of air-, maritime- and railway transport.

The representatives of the workgroup on EU matters discussed in detail a variety of questions connected with the air-, railway- and maritime transport. Within the mainframe of the discussion the Bulgarian side presented its point of view regarding the cooperation in the field of Railway transport and the infrastructure projects along Corridor VIII. A conference of the transport ministers of Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Italy was offered to be carried out in the last quarter of 2009.

An additional focus during the talks was the support which the Bulgarian side could give to the Albanian side in the field of transport on Program TAIEX projects, where concrete initiatives are already started.   

Representatives of NC "Railway Infrastructure" presented the main priorities and targets of the company, as well as the projects connected with the development of Corridor VIII. Also discussed was the possibility for participation of the Macedonian Railways in a common meeting between Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia for cooperation in a Corridor VIII workgroup.

The coming membership of Albania in NATO in April and the experience of Bulgaria with the application of the EU Aviation were also matter of the conversations. Bulgaria will offer a new project for bilateral agreement, according to Regulation 847/2004 EO.

The safety, the port management and the infrastructure were matter of discussion in   the Maritime Transportation and Port Activities Workgroup. An agreement was achieved, representatives of the ports in Duras and Vlora to visit our country in the time between August and September 2009. 

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