Sofia to Host High-Level International Forum on the Vertical Transport Corridor in Southeast Europe
On 6 November 2026, Sofia will host the high-level international forum “VERTICAL CORRIDOR. Perspectives on Transport Development in the Balkan Peninsula. The Role of Bulgaria, Greece and Romania.”
The event will take place at Sofia Hotel Balkan, starting at 10:30 AM, jointly organised by the Bulgarian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BHCCI), the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), and the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association (BAIA), in partnership with the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce Bulgaria–Romania (BCCBR).
The forum aims to establish a high-level platform for strategic dialogue, bringing together European and national policymakers, government officials, diplomatic representatives, international investors, business leaders, and key stakeholders from the transport, maritime, railway and logistics sectors.
Connecting the Aegean and Black Seas – Shaping the Future of Regional Trade
The Vertical Corridor represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen connectivity between Southern and Central Europe.
By linking major transport routes and ports, including Thessaloniki, Alexandroupolis, Kavala, Varna, Burgas and Ruse, the initiative seeks to facilitate trade flows, modernise infrastructure, attract investment and reinforce the competitiveness of Southeast Europe.
High-Level Institutional Participation
The preliminary agenda features senior representatives of the Bulgarian and Hellenic governments, including Rumen Radev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria; Christos Dimas, Hellenic Minister of Infrastructure and Transport; and Konstantinos Gkioulekas, Hellenic Deputy Minister of Interior responsible for Macedonia and Thrace.
A keynote address is also scheduled by Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
The forum will open with welcoming remarks by:
• Savvas Karafyllidis, President of BHCCI;
• Tsvetan Simeonov, President of BCCI;
• Todor Ivandzhikov, President of BAIA;
• Doru Dragomir, President of BCCBR.
Four Strategic Discussion Panels
The conference programme will focus on four interconnected priorities:
• Railway connectivity and the role of ports: Developing resilient, integrated transport networks.
• Transport infrastructure diplomacy: Strengthening cross-border cooperation and international partnerships.
• Road connectivity and bridges over the Danube: Improving regional transport corridors and port accessibility.
• EU funding instruments and public-private partnerships: Unlocking investment opportunities for strategic infrastructure projects.
The discussions will bring together representatives of major ports, railway operators, logistics associations, chambers of commerce and relevant institutions.
The programme also features Sergey Stanishev, George Kremlis and Lilyana Pavlova as panel moderators.
Turning Strategic Connectivity into Economic Opportunity
Business leaders, investors, logistics and transport operators, policymakers and international partners are invited to participate in this important discussion on the future of Southeast Europe’s connectivity.
Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
Time: 10:30 AM
Venue: Sofia Hotel Balkan, Sofia, Bulgaria
Registration:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZKrF7UTy9t4OZ8ni0M2m7rM03lbuE1rPYvKWmrf35K79TQg/viewform?usp=publish-editor