News

The accelerated restoration of the air line between Sofia and Baku was among the main topics of discussion between the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov and the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to our country H.E. Hussein Husseinov.

The two capitals have the potential to become aviation transit hubs for connecting flights between Europe and Asia, it was noted during the meeting. "This could ensure the necessary 70% filling of the flight capacity to achieve cost-effectiveness," Minister Gvozdeykov stressed.

In just a few years, the new designers and builders of the country's modern infrastructure will emerge from here. This was said by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov during the opening of the academic year at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy.

"Every day we talk about new projects, investments and reforms in all sectors of our economy. We should not forget that the basis of this process is the knowledge and Bulgarian scientists, who are highly appreciated not only in Bulgaria, but also abroad," Minister Gvozdeykov stressed.

The first six pilots for the HEMS airborne emergency medical services system go today for training in Italy. Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov met them before their departure. He stressed that the building of the individual components for the system is on schedule and in January 2024 the pilots will board the first helicopter, which will already be in Bulgaria.

Together with the trade unions, we will work for real reforms in the sector that are not just on paper. This was stated by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov at today's founding congress of a new federation of transport trade unions at the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (KNSB).

At the very beginning of its mandate, the cabinet set itself a clear task and main priority - the introduction of green transport in Bulgaria. I believe that the staff who graduate from the Higher School of Transport contribute precisely to the integration of the most environmentally friendly transport in the country. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Bisser Minchev during the opening of the new academic year in the Higher School of Transport Todor Kableshkov.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Gabriel, Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov and US Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten validated a postal and philatelic edition dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
"One stamp can carry a stronger message than 120 words," Minister Gvozdeykov said before the stamp was placed on the edition. This is the third stamp in the philatelic encyclopaedia of diplomatic relations between the countries.

By the end of the year, we will have a certified air ambulance operator in accordance with the requirements of EU Regulation 965/2012. This was stated by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov at a meeting today with the Board of Directors of Bulgaria Heli Med Service EAD. 

The Road Administration Executive Agency has started inspections of all buses transporting children and pupils before the start of the school year. This is part of measures to improve the safety and security of children and pupils.

We are looking for opportunities to purchase or lease new rolling stock at short notice, and have also sent enquiries to several companies in Germany. This was said by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bulgaria H.E. Irene Plank. 

The technical and financial aspects for the construction of the second bridge over the river Danube between Ruse and Giurgiu will be clarified soon with the aim of the two countries to apply under the Connecting Europe Facility with a joint feasibility study project. This was discussed by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Dimitar Nedyalkov and the State Secretary of Transport and Infrastructure of Romania Bogdan Mindrescu during a meeting in Bucharest.

The Italian companies operating in Bulgaria support the construction of a second bridge over the river Danube at Ruse, which will significantly ease the increased traffic in the region. This was discussed today by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov and the Ambassador of Italy to Bulgaria H. E. Giuseppina Dzara during a meeting at the Ministry. The future facility could also help solve the problems of transporting goods along the North-South route.

The Civil Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the case in which Ryanair took a mother off a plane and separated her from her 3-year-old child and her husband.

Due to overbooking of the particular flight, it was decided to put the father and the child on board, and the mother was redirected to fly the next day. Under European law, the passenger is entitled to monetary compensation, which is determined according to the distance of the flight and, in this case, amounts to EUR 400.

The transfer of ownership of the Rosenets terminal to the state is already underway and will be completed before the 30-day deadline. This was stated by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov during a visit to the port terminal today.

Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company already has a port operator license. We are negotiating with Lukoil to reach an agreement for joint operation of the tax warehouse, which is a requirement for obtaining a Certificate of Operability for the terminal,’ he said.

Discussions are underway between Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company and Lukoil Neftohim Burgas AD on the procedure for transfer of operational control over the port terminal Rosenets to the state.

According to the adopted decision of the Council of Ministers No 549/11 August 2023, the concession contract is terminated as of 15 August 2023. A committee has already been appointed by the Minister of Transport and Communications to accept the concession object within 30 days of the termination.

Bulgaria supports Poland's initiative to sign a joint declaration of 11 EU member states to cooperate and strengthen investment in transport infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe. This was said by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland H. E. Maciej Szymański.

They discussed the countries' experiences and challenges in implementing the strategic transport projects. This will be one of the main topics of a high-level forum to be held in early September in Poland.

Last week we sent requests to all rolling stock manufacturers in Europe about their ability to deliver new trains for BDZ in the shortest possible time. This was announced by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov during his participation in ‘Hello, Bulgaria’ on Nova TV.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications supports the European Public Prosecutor's Office's investigation into irregularities in two rail infrastructure modernisation projects. An audit of the way in which public funds are spent in the structures of the Ministry was one of the first steps that Minister Georgi Gvozdeykov took upon taking office. 

‘I have immediately ordered the National Railway Inforstructure Company (NKZI) to fully cooperate with the Prosecutor's Office and I hope it will go all the way in its investigation,’ Minister Gvozdeykov said.

By Friday, Wizz Air will submit to Directorate General ‘Civil Aviation Administration’ an Action Plan with preventive measures against delays and cancellations. This became clear after a meeting between the Director General of the CAA Anelia Marinova and representatives of Wizz Air Hungary Ltd.

Over 50 proposals for stamp themes for 2024 have already been received by the Department of Transport and Communications. The deadline for submitting ideas for inclusion in the thematic plan is 31 August 2023. All submissions will then be evaluated by the Specialised Stamping Panel.

As one of the oldest members of the Universal Postal Union, in 2024 Bulgaria will have a special edition dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the founding of the international organization.