We are already working to provide more trains on the route between Plovdiv and Edirne as an alternative to the ever increasing car traffic. This was said by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov at a meeting today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey H. E. Eileen Sekizkok. He added that two trains a day — one in each direction — currently run on this destination.
‘The modernization of the railway infrastructure along the entire route from the Serbian to the Turkish border is underway, but in addition to the construction of the railway lines inside the country, we must also ensure the fast passage through the border crossings,’ Minister Gvozdeykov said. On this occasion, it was stated that work on the technical details of the project for a second border railway crossing between the two countries is to start soon. In June, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed for its implementation. ‘The launch of another railway crossing will ease traffic through the existing Svilengrad—Kapakule crossing and will attract even more cargo to the region,’ the Minister said.
The two sides expressed the position that active efforts should be made to ease freight and passenger traffic at our common border. ‘In addition to the constantly growing number of trucks, during the summer months more than 6,600 cars a day pass through the checkpoints of Kapitan Andreevo, Lesovo and Malko Tarnovo,’ said Ambassador Sekizkok. She assured Minister Gvozdeykov that the disinfection fee, which the Turkish side currently collects from Bulgarian vehicles, will be abolished at all checkpoints. The Minister also raised the issue of the frequent problems of Bulgarian carriers in entering the data of single or multiple permits in the Turkish automated system.
Minister Gvozdeykov and the Turkish ambassador also discussed the progress of the project for the construction of the Elin Pelin—Vakarel railway section, which is being built by a Turkish consortium. The Minister of Transport assured that in his first days in office he was aware of the issue of the need for further strengthening of the tunnel structures on this line. ‘We have held a number of meetings with lawyers and technical experts and a solution to this issue has already been found and additional funds have been provided to ensure the safety of these facilities,’ Gvozdeykov explained.
The development of the Ro-Ro line between the ports of Burgas and Karasu was also discussed during the meeting. Minister Gvozdeykov and Ambassador Sekizkok also commented that security and connectivity are at the heart of the good relations between Bulgaria and Turkey.
