site.btaEU Funding to Be Sought for Bulgaria-Greece Rail Link

Brussels, October 20 (BTA) - EU financing will be sought for the construction of a rail link between Bulgaria and Greece, it emerged from a meeting between Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, the government information service said. The three talked in Brussels where the European Council is holding a meeting.

Borissov said the project for a rail link between Thessaloniki, Kavala, Alexandroupolis, Bourgas, Varna and Rousse agreed in September is of strategic importance not just to the two countries but to the region as a whole. He also noted progress on the gas interconnector with Greece.

Security in the Western Balkans and the European perspective of the countries of the region were also on the agenda. Borissov talked about the results of the quadrilateral summit at Euxinograd where he received the Prime Ministers of Greece and Romania and the Serbian President.

The Bulgarian government leader said he was very pleased with the constructive dialogue with his counterparts of the region. He stressed the need to develop relations among the Balkan countries in such a way as to guarantee peace, stability and prosperity in that part of Europe. Bulgaria can make a significant input, including through its stint at the EU Council Presidency in the first half of 2018. Borissov added that he shared Tsipras's wish to see that Presidency as a Balkan one as well, so as to encourage a discussion on the need of a strong EU commitment to the region.

Borissov affirmed that Bulgaria would rely on the European Commission's support to successfully implement the priorities of its EU Council Presidency. He is confident that this will be of benefit to the whole European Union.