site.btaRoad Leading to Xanthi Border Checkpoint to Be Completed by December 31, Says Greek Regional Governor

By December 31, the road from the Greek side to the Rudozem - Xanthi border checkpoint will be ready, said Christodoulos Topsidis, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Regional Governor during his visit in Smolyan on Wednesday.

Topsidis participated in a working meeting with Smolyan Regional Governor Zahari Sirakov and representatives of regional administrations and institutions from both countries.

He stated that the road from Dimario to the border is almost complete and the last finishing works are related to the asphalting of individual points. He emphasised that the most important topic of the discussion with his Bulgarian colleagues is precisely the opening of the border at Rudozem. He stressed that the opening of the road will stimulate economic development, commercial exchange and provide easier access for residents of regions in both countries. Topsidis also said that there are attractive areas on both sides of the border, with Pamporovo ski resort on the Bulgarian side and sea and sun on the Greek side, which attracts many Bulgarian investors.

Sirakov noted that from January 1, according to the Schengen regulations, it should be possible to pass freely through the checkpoint at Rudozem, adding that this of course depends on the final vote in the European Council on Bulgaria's full admission to the Schengen border-free area. He also expressed his confidence that deeper and more fruitful bilateral relations will be established. He noted that the cooperation between the two regions was discussed, as well as the prospects for continuing the partnership under the INTERREG Greece-Bulgaria cross-border cooperation programme.

The Greek regional administration stated that the passing of heavy trucks and buses will be a decision the governments will make. Topsidis recalled that in recent years the Greek side has wanted buses to pass through the Makaza mountain pass, which the Bulgarian side has not allowed. He added that during the summer months the Makaza border checkpoint is the second busiest point on the Bulgarian-Greek border, with traffic reaching between 800,000 and 1 million cars.