Ivan Ivanov: Our cooperation with Greece allows for better development of border areas

The Minister of Regional Development opened a forum of the Bulgarian-Greek Chamber of Commerce and Industry

We live in a dynamic time and the challenges facing our two countries, as well as in the countries of the European Union, are many. Of course, every challenge is an opportunity to change towards a better future for the two neighbouring peoples and for our common European future. This was stated by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov, who opened the forum dedicated to the economic relations and challenges between Bulgaria and Greece, organized by the Bulgarian-Greek Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Minister Ivanov emphasized the role of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works through the numerous programs with European funding aimed at cross-border regions.

In his words, they support various activities to improve transport connectivity, prevent disaster risk, promote the transition to a circular economy, protect nature, improve the link between business and education, support culture and sustainable tourism for economic development, social inclusion and social innovation. He reminded that on 01.09.2025. The Programme Monitoring Committee approved the CrossBo 2 project to improve cross-border connectivity. “The beneficiaries are the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) as the lead partner and EGNATIA ODOS S.A. on the Greek side. The project aims to functionally improve and modernise cross-border road connections important for our countries: the Rudozem ring road, the construction of which began in June 2024, on the Kardzhali-Makaza road and on the remaining parts of the Xanthi-Echinos-Greek-Bulgarian border road axis,” Ivanov explained. He also stressed the importance of the FLOOD PROTECTION 2 project, which extends the scope of another strategic project financed in the 2014-2020 programming period. The project aims at reducing the risk of natural disasters related to floods and has a total indicative budget of EUR 6 620 000. On the Bulgarian side, the four regional administrations (Haskovo, Kardzhali, Smolyan and Blagoevgrad) are beneficiaries. In early March 2025, a grant agreement was signed for the FLOOD GUARD 2 project with the Bulgarian beneficiary DG PBZN at the Ministry of the Interior, with a total budget of EUR 5 781 500. The project envisages the construction of a Joint Training Center in Blagoevgrad, preparation of the population from the cross-border region in cases of floods, including the supply of specialized equipment.

"We are well aware that the creation of efficient transport and infrastructure networks is an undeniable opportunity to give impetus to economic progress, to achieve sustainable growth both in Bulgaria and Greece, and in the EU countries", Minister Ivanov concluded and thanked the organizers for their active activity in Bulgaria.