Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia announced the preparation of a trilateral project to connect their telecommunication networks

Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia launched a partnership to link national telecommunications networks in the border regions of the three countries. The official meeting setting up the managing and technical board for the preparation of the tripartite project was held on 16 June in Vidin. Delegations led by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Valery Borissov, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Information Society of Romania Mr. Viorel Ionica and the Assistant Minister in charge of electronic communications and postal services to the Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Irini Reljin participated in the talks. The event was hosted by the Governor of Vidin Momchil Stankov.

The main objective of the proposal to connect the networks is to enable public bodies and institutions in the three countries to use high-speed and protected telecommunication channels to exchange information. Investing in broadband Internet to border areas would enable research, educational and public organizations in the three countries to develop joint projects. One of the main benefits of the interconnection of networks is the provision of spare lines in case of problems with communications in either party. The total project will promote the development of cross-border projects of e-governance, education, health and e-services.