The intermodal Transport Corridor Thessaloniki-Kavala-Alexandroupolis-Burgas-Varna-Ruse will soon not be just an ambitious plan, we are determined to make it a reality. This was the common statement 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 discussions.
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 talk with the European Commissioner for Transport, 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. "In the context of the changing Transport and Energy Map of Europe, it will enable the future rapid recovery and modernization of Ukraine. The Thessaloniki-Kavala-Alexandroupolis-Burgas-Varna-Ruse corridor is an alternative to the Bosphorus, where since the beginning of the month the crossing fees have been increased several times", Deputy Prime Minister Alexiev said.
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 stated emphatically.
The meeting of Deputy Prime Minister Alexiev with Minister Kostas Karamanlis is part of the visit of the Bulgarian delegation to Athens. The Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stoyanov and the Minister of Energy Rossen Hristov are also participating in the talks.
