Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

We are constantly working towards a competitive, financially stable, safe and secure railway system in Bulgaria. This is the way to address citizens’ needs for quality transport and it will contribute to business development in the country, said the Deputy Minister of Transport, information Technology and Communications Anton Ginev during the opening of the conference "Implementation of the European rail strategy in Southeast Europe".

Deputy Minister Ginev added that the Bulgarian side actively participates in coining the European transport policy, including with regard to rail transport by drafting positions on EU legislation.

The main objective is the establishment of a Single European Railway Area. The joint initiative SHIFT2RAIL will contribute to achieving the objective as it will accelerate and facilitate the transition to a more integrated and effective rail market consistent with the needs of the business, added Anton Ginev.

During the event, Jean Felipe Peuziat, head of "Public Services" at UNIFE, delivered a report and commented that one of the main tasks that SHIFT2RAIL is facing  is to promote urban transport development. He gave the example of the construction of the subway in Sofia, which is necessary in other European cities.

During the first day of the conference presentations were made by: Felipe Citroen, Director General of UNIFE, Andrei Novakov MEP, Milen Georgiev Acting Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Galina Vasileva, Director of the "Coordination of Programmes and Projects" Directorate at MTITC, Nissim Primo, Head of "Monitoring" at NRIC and Nicola Durchev, Director General of RASTIA.

The conference will continue tomorrow with reports on - Certification and interoperability policy, Green intermodal corridors, Innovation potential of the structures of BAS and universities, Transport clusters and others.