The capacity for sale of electronic vignettes at Kalotina border checkpoint has been increased

In order to alleviate traffic and reduce the possibility of queues entering Bulgaria during the active summer season, the capacity for selling electronic vignettes at the Kalotina border checkpoint has been increased. There are already 6 self-service terminals there. The number of selling booths increased and now there are three booths, where, in addition to card payment, payment can also be made in cash. The number of self-service terminals has also been increased at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint.

This became clear at today’s meeting of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Petya Avramova, with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Bulgaria, Hasan Ulusoy. It was also attended by Deputy Ministers Nikolay Nankov and Denitsa Nikolova, Chief of Staff Vesela Nacheva-Krasteva and Ivan Dosev - Member of the Managing Board of the Road Infrastructure Agency.

Deputy Minister Nankov informed Dr. Ulusoy that vignettes can be purchased in the distribution network, at gas stations and through a mobile application. They can be purchased online in advance and can be activated from the day of entry of travelers in our country - this was also clarified during the meeting.

The Regional Deputy Minister pointed out that there is a new control body in our country – employees of the National Toll Administration monitor compliance with the Roads Act and the purchase of vignettes. A toll system for trucks is to be introduced in our country, as a result of which vignettes for vehicles over 3.5 tons will be dropped and they will pay a toll for the distance traveled.

The “Bulgaria-Turkey” and “Black Sea Basin” programmes are being implemented at an accelerated pace, said Deputy Minister Nikolova. She informed that the conclusion of 34 new contracts for over EUR 10 million under the cross-border cooperation programme with our southern neighbour is expected. We are also working on the preparation of the next programming period. The inclusion of several strategic projects to be implemented on both sides of the border is being discussed.

Minister Avramova commented that she relies on the assistance of the Turkish Embassy in Bulgaria, which through its channels can help to better inform its citizens so that they can travel more comfortably through the territory of our country.

The established good contacts and cooperation create conditions for further development of bilateral relations in the spirit of understanding and mutual benefit between Bulgaria and Turkey, the Regional Minister commented.

The two countries have many points of contact on which to cooperate, such as regional development, public works, infrastructure, said Dr. Ulusoy.

“Our main goal is to build a good infrastructure to facilitate citizens and businesses,” Minister Avramova concluded.