Minister Karadjov: The main priority is to improve the road infrastructure

The Regional Minister met with the Ambassador of Italy to Bulgaria HE Giuseppina Zarra

"One of my main priorities is the improvement of the road infrastructure in the country," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Grozdan Karadjov at a meeting with HE Giuseppina Zarra - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to Bulgaria.

"Italy is an important partner of Bulgaria in the EU and an ally in NATO and the state of our bilateral relations is excellent," said Minister Karadjov. He stressed that the Italian country is a key investor in the Bulgarian economy and his team will work to deepen partnerships in regional policy, construction, road infrastructure, renovation of the building stock, cross-border co-operation.

At the meeting, the regional minister acquainted Ambassador Zarra with specific priorities in the field of road infrastructure - the construction of three tunnels under the Balkan Mountains - "Shipka", "Petrohan" and "Black Sea" (along the eponymous future highway). The government also plans to build four new bridges on the Danube - near Ruse, Silistra, Oryahovo and Nikopol on the Bulgarian side, it became clear from the words of the Minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that all his efforts are aimed at accelerating the work on these strategic infrastructure sites. The team in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works is working to move them from the conceptual phase to ready technical projects, which are missing, as well as to provide funding.

"We are looking for an opportunity to get out of the complicated case with the construction of the Hemus highway," said Grozdan Karadjov, emphasizing that among the priority projects are the completion of the Struma highway and the construction of the Black Sea highway.

He was adamant that Bulgaria attaches great importance to the construction of the Pan-European Transport Corridor No. 8, which is the shortest connection between the Adriatic and the Black Sea.

"Building the transport infrastructure on it is a top priority, because the lag is a fact," Karadjov explained, adding that of mutual interest for Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia is the creation of a modern route Gueshevo - Kyustendil - Dupnitsa, which will provide fast connection between the Struma Motorway and the border with the Republic of Northern Macedonia. The road is part of the main trans-European network and should be ready by 2030.

"My first goal is to improve cooperation between Bulgaria and Italy in strategic sectors such as transport, infrastructure, digitalisation and energy," HE Giuseppina Zarra said during the meeting.

She stressed that the Italian business is showing serious interest in infrastructure sites in the country, including road and railway projects, the implementation of which is important for the development of trade and economic relations between Bulgaria and Italy.

Ambassador Zarra highlighted the experience of Italian companies in tunnel construction, in the field of housing policy and energy efficiency, which would be useful for Bulgarian partners.