site.btaPaperwork for Construction of Tutrakan-Oltenita Ferry Signed

The mayors of Tutrakan, Dimitar Stefanov, and of Oltenita, Mihata Bestea, signed on Wednesday the official documents for the construction of a ferry across the Danube between the two cities.

Bulgaria's Ambassador to Romania Radko Vlaykov said during the signing ceremony in Oltenita: "Today is a memorable day for the connectivity between Bulgaria and Romania." He said that the future ferry is of utmost importance and explained, "The distance between Danube Bridge 1 at Ruse and the ferry at Silistra and Calarasi is over 100 kilometres. This is the longest distance on the Danube where there is no connectivity. The Tutrakan – Oltenita ferry halfway is a very important element of connectivity."

He recalled that this project has existed for nearly 20 years, but is now being implemented thanks to several factors, one of the most important of which is the entry of Bulgaria and Romania into Schengen.

"The need for border control was removed, which created an opportunity with the extremely high activity of the mayors of Tutrakan and Oltenita within literally a few weeks to agree on all the steps to be taken. The benefit is more than obvious. A large number of farmers and fishermen in Tutrakan and the region export their produce directly to Bucharest. Part of the production from Oltenita goes to Bulgaria. The benefit to business of such a direct link is more than clear. It will also be extremely important for tourism," Vlaykov added.

He expressed hope that all the necessary procedures will be completed on time and the ferry link will be operational by the end of May. It is also expected to ease the traffic between the two countries for the summer months in view of the ongoing overhaul of the Bulgarian part of Danube Bridge 1 at Ruse, which started last July.

"This ferry will be an alternative in the summer days when the traffic is extremely busy with Romanian and Bulgarian tourists. The benefits are more than obvious for both businesses and people. It should also be noted that this ferry is being launched without the need for any funding from the budgets of Bulgaria and Romania," Ambassador Vlaykov said.