Public Relations and Protocol

Nine vehicles were taken off the road for carrying out unauthorized passenger transport. This is what the results from the first three days of the inspections ordered by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov show. The action aims at combating the gray sector in road transport and is taking place at four border crossing points.

We are working on providing BGN 30 million for the bus sector out of the Operational Program on Transport and Transport Infrastructure. This was announced by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov after today's round table organized by the bus branch. According to him, at the end of last week, together with Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev and in dialogue with the European Commission, a measure aimed at bus carriers was specified.

We are looking for a common approach to support bus companies affected by the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was stated by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov during today's meeting with representatives of the bus carriers.

If the Mobility Package I is adopted in its current form, the Bulgarian side declares its readiness to file a lawsuit in Luxembourg before the Court of Justice of the European Union. This is what the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov commented today in front of the media representatives at the National Assembly. According to him, Bulgaria is looking for like-minded EU Member States for litigation in the European Court.

The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov presented the Bulgarian position during today's informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Transport. The videoconference meeting on "Sustainable and Digital Recovery of the Transport Sector" examines the effects of COVID-19 on transport by sector.

The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov presented to branch organizations the measures taken so far, related to freight and bus transport. The Recovery Plan was also discussed, as well as the formation of national measures for the way in which the sources from the Next Generation EU Fund will be invested.

The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov attended the signing of a contract between BDZ management team and Siemens Tron for the delivery of 10 new electric locomotives.

Thirty-six Bulgarian municipalities that have not yet participated in the WiFi4EU initiative for free wireless internet in public places can apply for a new competition. It will be open from June 3, 2020, 14:00 (Bulgarian time) to 18:00 on June 4, 2020. Before that, local authorities must have pre-registration on the WiFi4EU portal.

With a budget of € 14.2 million, the European Commission will distribute 947 vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis, respecting the geographical balance.

All public investments in transport and in information technology and communications system are guaranteed for this year. This was stated by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov during a webinar held today with members of the American Chamber of Commerce, on "Transport and digitalization - a plan to overcome the COVID-19 crisis in Bulgaria."

E-applications and high-capacity broadband networks can effectively contribute to overcoming the consequences facing the European economy. This was stated by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov during a video conference of the Telecommunications ministers of the European Union. The main topics of the Council were the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis in the telecommunications sector, the importance of the digital solutions for the EU's recovery and investments in building of new digital infrastructures.

The National Tripartite Cooperation Council in the Transport Sector has resumed its work. The talks were initiated by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov.

During the meeting, the measures taken so far in the sector were presented, which formed the basis for the dialogue with trade unions and employers' organizations.

Starting tomorrow, May 4, 2020, the training of driving license applicants and the theoretical exams will resume. Practical exams are also starting on May 11. These activities must be carried out with strict observance of all safety measures - disinfection of vehicles after each student, compulsory use of masks and gloves, physical distance during the theoretical exams in the halls, with the number of students tested to be halved. Exams and trainings for professional competence and for the transport of dangerous goods are being renewed.

The European Commission approved Bulgaria's requests for temporary exceptions (derogation) to the rules in international road transport. This was announced during today's videoconference of transport ministers of the European Union on the impact of COVID-19 on the transport sector.

On May 4, 2020, the theory parts of the driving tests for driving licence candidates are resumed, and on May 11, 2020, the practical parts of the driving tests. This was announced after today's meeting of the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Rossen Jeliazkov and representatives of the teachers in auto-motor training. The talks were also attended by Deputy Minister Angel Popov and the Executive Director of the Road Transport Administration EA Boyko Ranovski.

The transport sector is in urgent need of European financial instruments to ensure the speedy recovery of companies affected by the COVID-19 measures. This is stated in a letter sent by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov to the European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean. The Minister further points out that the aid provided by the Member States is not sufficient and that the support of the European Commission is needed to safeguard the viability of the sector.

The Council of Ministers has defined the border crossing points on Bulgarian territory at which vehicles transporting goods will be allowed to pass freely. The plan for securing Green Corridors along the European road network was proposed by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov. It complies with the guidelines of the European Commission as of 16 March 2020.

The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov presented the Bulgarian position during today's video conference of the Council of the EU Transport Ministers on the impact of COVID-19 over the sector. According to his words, in the field of Road Transport, Bulgaria fully supports the harmonized approach and the guidelines for management of the border control, presented by the Commission.

The EU Transport Ministers will discuss tomorrow measures for ensurance of the free movement of goods in the EU. This was announced by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Rossen Jeliazkov during an emergency briefing. 

The first convoy of Bulgarian trucks left from Nova Gorica, Slovenia to Bulgaria. This was announced by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Mr. Rossen Jeliazkov at an emergency briefing. The trucks have to cross a Trans-European Corridor, passing through several countries from Italy to Bulgaria.

The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov presented the measures taken in the transport sector in connection with the state of emergency.

Road transport