site.btaTransport Ministers of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Serbia Meet in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, July 5 (BTA spec. corr. Hristo Vodenov) - The transport ministers of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Serbia met late on Wednesday evening here as part of the 4th Quadrilateral Summit of the leaders of the four countries. The transport ministers discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and improve transport connectivity.

Bulgarian Transport, IT and Communications Minister Ivailo Moskovsky presented the progress on the main road and rail projects in Bulgaria. Moskovsky spoke about the pending commissioning of a road toll system. The ministers noted that the system needs to be compatible with the toll systems in Bulgaria's neighbours. Moskovsky said this is one of the requirements in the procedure for the selection of a contractor.

The ministers discussed the construction of the mitli-modal corridor connecting Thessaloniki, Kavala, Alexandroupolis, Bourgas, Varna and Rousse, and the possible inclusion of Romania in the corridor. Moskovsky said that extending the territorial coverage of the corridor increases its viability and added that the European Commission had recommended including Romania in the project.

Dwelling on cross-border road and rail links, Moskovsky said that Bulgaria works actively in the construction of roads and railways connecting the country with its neighbours. He noted the need for large investments, saying that the introduction of a fairer model for road tolls in Bulgaria is expected to balance the transport sector.