In planning investments under the Transport Connectivity Programme 2021-2027, a balance will be sought between North and South Bulgaria. This became clear during a meeting between the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov and Agnes Monfre, Head of Unit "Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia" at DG Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission. They discussed the projects set for funding under the 2021-2027 TCP.
"The past two programming periods clearly show that there is a need to significantly speed up the implementation of railway projects, where the biggest delays are generated," Minister Gvozdeykov said. The European Commission stressed that much stronger monitoring of these projects is needed at both national and European level to avoid the risks of non-utilisation of funds at the end of the period.
On the Bulgarian side the projects for the construction of an intermodal terminal in Ruse and an intermodal station "Obelia", which will provide another connection of the Sofia metro with the rail transport network, were presented. Minister Gvozdeykov stressed that after the removal of the intermodal terminal from the National Recovery and Resiliance Plan, the state is looking for funding opportunities. "The terminal fully corresponds with the policy to promote investment in Northern Bulgaria, as well as to stimulate combined transport," Gvozdeykov emphasized.
The head of the Managing Authority of the 2021-2027 TCP Martin Georgiev explained that the intermodal station "Obelia" will be used daily by 12 000 people who travel in this part of the capital. In his words, this project will bring added value to the railway transport on the western directions to Dragoman, Kyustendil and Bojurishte.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Biser Minchev, representatives of DG Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission, the management of National Railway Infrastructure Company, the head of the MA of 2021-2027 TCP Martin Georgiev and others.
