Greece and Bulgaria Strengthen Connectivity with Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Collaboration

Greek Minister of Infrastructure & Transport Christos Staikouras speaking at the Sofia Economic Forum V in Bulgaria.

Greece’s integration of railway networks with Bulgaria will enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the Greek transport systems, according to Infrastructure & Transport Minister Christos Staikouras.

Speaking at the Sofia Economic Forum V, organized by the Delphi Economic Forum, Staikouras highlighted the ongoing commitment of both nations to strengthening their transport networks.

As part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy, Greece and Bulgaria have focused on developing key European corridors that facilitate the seamless movement of goods, services, and people. The EU’s trans-European transport network policy, the TEN-T policy, is a key instrument for planning and developing a coherent, efficient, multimodal, and high-quality transport infrastructure across the EU. The network comprises railways, inland waterways, short sea shipping routes and roads linking urban nodes, maritime and inland ports, airports and terminals.

During his speech, Staikouras underlined the strategic importance of two corridors in particular: the Western Balkans and the BBA corridor, which connects the Baltic, Black, and Aegean Seas.

The Western Balkans corridor ensures smooth trade and travel between the two EU member states and the rest of Europe, with investments underway to modernize and expand the infrastructure. The Greek minister noted that these upgrades will boost trade and economic integration across the continent.

The BBA corridor, according to Staikouras, is crucial for international trade, connecting Europe with Africa and Asia. It also aligns with the broader European vision of creating solidarity lanes for more efficient transport.

Greek Minister of Infrastructure & Transport Christos Staikouras held a bilateral meeting with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov on the sidelines of the Sofia Economic Forum V in Bulgaria.

Moreover, the minister referenced key reports, such as the Draghi and Letta reports, which emphasize the importance of completing the TEN-T network by eliminating gaps and discontinuities, both within countries and at cross-border levels. In line with these reports, Greece is working on several initiatives, including upgrading the railway line between Alexandroupolis and Ormenio, partly funded by the Connecting Europe Facility.

A new funding application for the Alexandroupoli–Pythio connection, recently submitted, will further enhance cross-border cooperation, particularly through projects like the Sea2Sea initiative, extending to Romania as part of the BBA corridor. Additionally, the integration of Bulgaria into the Schengen Area facilitates easier travel between the two nations, supported by key road connections like the Dimario-Rudozem link.

Staikouras concluded by underscoring the importance of integrating rail, road, and maritime transport. This approach, he explained, not only reduces transport costs but also minimizes externalities such as environmental impact and accidents, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient European transport network.