The official timeline for the implementation of the international transport<\/b> corridor Aegean – Black Sea – Baltic<\/b> is expected to be presented in September<\/b>. <\/p>\n
This is a project of great significance<\/b> that is considered crucial for the EU\u2019s security, connectivity, and competitiveness. The news was announced by Minister of Infrastructure and Transport,\u00a0Christos Dimas<\/b>, during the 3rd Meeting of the Black Sea – Aegean Sea Corridor Platform (BACP).<\/p>\n
He also expressed optimism that Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and the European Commission will jointly move forward with the implementation of a project with a strong geopolitical and developmental impact. \u201cWe have already begun discussing the timelines. The goal is to have a very specific timeline for the implementation of the entire project by September<\/b>,\u201d stated Mr. Dimas <\/b>in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), noting that the use of European funding instruments comes with specific commitments and deadlines.<\/p>\n
Describing today\u2019s meeting\u2014which was attended by political leaders from the ministries of transportation of Greece, as well as representatives of the European Commission and European institutions, Mr. Dimas explained that \u201cthe corridor begins at the Greek ports of Thessaloniki, Kavala, and Alexandroupoli, crosses Bulgaria via key points such as Burgas, Varna, and Ruse, and ends in Romania, centered on the port of Constan\u021ba, ultimately connecting the Aegean Sea with the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n
It should be noted, however, that the initiative aims to strengthen connectivity between ports, rail and road networks, creating a strategic transport corridor of particular importance not only for the three participating countries but also for the European Union as a whole. \u201cConnectivity between critical infrastructure in the three countries is of immense importance, not only for our nations but also for the European Union itself. In a period of heightened geopolitical instability, connecting the eastern part of Europe from south to north is a priority that transcends national interests<\/b>,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n
Mr. Dimas<\/b> noted that during his talks with the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas<\/b>, his Bulgarian counterpart<\/b>, and the Romanian delegation<\/b> the shared commitment to accelerating the processes was reaffirmed, by leveraging European and national resources, as well as private-sector expertise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have reaffirmed once again that together we can achieve much more<\/b>. This is a project that will strengthen the stability of the European economy, improve connectivity, and generate significant benefits for all participating countries,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
He thanked European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas for what he described as leading role in promoting the project, as well as the representatives of Bulgaria and Romania, Mr. Dimas stressed that close cooperation among the three countries is a key prerequisite for the successful implementation of the corridor.<\/p>\n
The European Investment Bank\u2019s support for the Black Sea-Aegean Corridor, as highlighted in his remarks by EIB Vice President Yannis Tsakiris, noting that this involves a series of critical infrastructure projects that strengthen the region\u2019s development, resilience, and security. As he stated, the EIB is contributing not only through financing but also through advisory services, providing specialized engineers to help projects reach maturity more quickly and accelerate their implementation.<\/p>\n
Mr. Tsakiris noted that in 2025 alone, the Bank has financed road projects in the wider region with more than 1.5 billion euros, while also evaluating new projects. Regarding 2026, in response to a question from the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), he stated that the portfolio (pipeline) currently under evaluation and approval includes projects totaling approximately 800 million euros.<\/p>\n
He described the cooperation that has developed through successive meetings and the memorandum of understanding (MoU), and noted that decisions are being made at a noticeably faster pace.<\/p>\n
The EIB Vice President emphasized that the initiative is not merely a \u201cpaper project,\u201d but a project with a tangible impact on development, as road and rail connections along the vertical corridor will become faster and more efficient. At the same time, he underscored their importance for the economy, as well as for military mobility and security in the wider region.<\/p>\n
Bulgaria\u2019s steadfast political commitment to the implementation of the Black Sea-Aegean Corridor, in his remarks, the country\u2019s Minister of Transport and Communications, Georgi Peev, in his remarks, emphasizing the project\u2019s importance for the region\u2019s connectivity, resilience, and security. \u201cI would like to reaffirm Bulgaria\u2019s political commitment to the practical implementation of this corridor. Connectivity is one of the most important issues, and the project will also strengthen resilience and security,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
The Bulgarian minister thanked the Greek Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas, for hosting the meeting, emphasizing that the three countries involved will continue to work closely together on the project to advance the initiative. He also expressed his confidence that this joint effort will lead to the successful progress and completion of the project, which is considered of strategic importance for the interconnection of Southeast Europe.<\/p>\n
The message that the Black Sea Corridor \u2013 Aegean Corridor is moving from the planning phase to implementation was conveyed by the Consul General of Romania in Thessaloniki, Corina Kretzou, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria.<\/p>\n
She also emphasized that the joint initiative of the three countries is evolving into a concrete platform for cooperation, for preparing projects and investments, with the aim of strengthening transportation and economic development in Southeast Europe.<\/p>\n
As she noted, the discussions confirmed both the political will and the practical determination to advance the project, which could become one of the region\u2019s most important transportation and development corridors, while also helping to strengthen the European transport network. Among other things, he also highlighted the need for greater European solidarity and closer cooperation among the countries in the region, which are called upon to address common economic and geopolitical challenges.<\/p>\n
The geostrategic importance of the Baltic Sea\u2013Black Sea Corridor \u2013 Aegean Corridor, emphasizing that Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania are now at the center of developments in Europe.<\/p>\n
As he noted, the new strategy for European transport corridors\u2014and specifically the Baltic\u2013Black Sea \u2013 Aegean corridor, elevates the role of the countries involved in this corridor, making the region one of the most strategic for the EU.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u201cThe geopolitical reality clearly shows that this is no longer just a peripheral region of the European Union, but a region at the center of international developments,\u201d he emphasized.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Mauro stressed that the European institutions remain fully committed to advancing the project, in cooperation with the governments and stakeholders of the three countries. At the same time, he stressed that achieving the corridor\u2019s objectives requires a joint effort and close cooperation among the societies of Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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