site.btaHigh-Speed Rail Connectivity Prioritized in Bulgarian-Turkish Transport Relations

Bulgarian caretaker Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Gvozdeykov and Turkiye's newly accredited Ambassador in Sofia Mehmet Sait Uyanik conferred here on Thursday, Gvozdeykov's Ministry said in a press release.

The two concurred that the launch a high-speed train service between Sofia and Istanbul is a priority that will be implemented as the modernization of the two countries' railway infrastructure makes progress. The Bulgarian Minister pointed out that a rail route between Plovdiv and Edirne can be started first because the modernization in the Bulgarian sector is most advanced there.

Gvozdeykov and Uyanik stressed the need of speeding up work on the second railway border crossing between Bulgaria and Turkiye along the line from Yambol to the Turkish border via Lesovo. Once operational, this crossing can substantially ease traffic through the existing checkpoint at Svilengrad-Kapikule.

The two also discussed the air links between the two countries and the options for the launch of new air services. "We expect Bulgaria to be admitted to land-border Schengen too, which will facilitate the Turkish side because cargoes will take shorter to transit Bulgaria en route to Europe," the Bulgarian Transport Minister said.