site.btaTransport Minister Opens Railway Forum with International Participation

The rail sector plays a key role in today's modern and sustainable economy, Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Transport and Communications, Krasimira Stoyanova, said here on Friday. She opened the Railway Forum with international participation organized by the Scientific and Technical Union of Transport.

Minister Stoyanova outlined the commitments made by the state authorities for the development of the railway infrastructure and the Bulgarian railways.

"For years, the Ministry of Transport and Communications has been working actively on the modernization of the railway infrastructure in line with the speed, safety, and security standards of the trans-European rail network. We are doing our best to couple this with the delivery of new rolling stock. It has taken us, as a country, a society, and a ministry, 20 years to get to the point where we can finally welcome new rolling stock in 2026," she said.

Stoyanova identified the development of Corridor VIII on Bulgarian territory as a priority. "We are also actively working to upgrade and implement the 2.5 km rail link project with the Republic of North Macedonia, which is to be funded under the Transport Connectivity Programme," the Minister Stoyanova added.

Friday’s forum is held under the theme: "The future of rail interoperability: 25 years of experience and innovative strategies".