Caretaker PM: Danube Bridge Repair to Be Completed Before Christmas

Tatiana Marinova

Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev (centre) visits the Danube Bridge border checkpoint near Ruse, November 29, 2024 (BTA Photo/Martin Penev)

Sofia,

29.11.2024 12:52

(BTA)

During a visit to the Bulgarian-Romanian border near Ruse on Friday, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said that the repair of the first section of the Danube Bridge will be completed before Christmas, allowing both lanes to be put into operation. The lanes will remain operational under this setup if Bulgaria joins Schengen by land in 2025, Glavchev added, quoted by the Government Information Service.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that the administration of the bridge toll tax will be discussed in the operational headquarters handling border reorganization for Schengen. Alternative options, including online payments, will be considered to avoid traffic delays.

Glavchev noted that after Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area by land, the border control with Romania will not be completely abolished in the first six months, it will be adjusted to a lighter system. He also noted that this monitoring period will apply to the Romanian-Hungarian border as well. On the other hand, there will be a huge facilitation for travellers between Bulgaria and Greece, as there will be practically no border once Bulgaria joins Schengen by land.

The Prime Minister also said that local government representatives will be invited to join the operational headquarters working on the reorganization for Bulgaria’s potential Schengen entry, ensuring all border-related issues are addressed.

The final decision on Bulgaria and Romania joining Schengen by land on January 1, 2025 is expected to be taken by the Council of the European Union on December 12. The two countries entered the border-free area by air and sea in March 2024.

/DS/