Good transport connectivity with the Western Balkans is important for the EU

Connecting transport networks with the infrastructure of the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership and the Southern Mediterranean countries are important for the European Union, stated the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Ivaylo Moskovski during the official opening of the TEN-T Days European Transport Conference, held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 25-27 April. The EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc and the EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu, the EC Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Miro Cerar and Transport Ministers from other European countries attended the forum as well.

Minister Moskovski stressed in his address that the countries should take utmost advantage of global market developments to preserve the competitiveness of the European economy, which means better integration with neighboring regions and continents. Bulgaria welcomes the adopted Strategy for a credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans and the Treaty establishing a Transport Community between the EU and Southeast European Countries. “These initiatives will strengthen our cooperation and lead to further liberalization of the market and integration of the countries of the Western Balkans", Moskovski said. In his words, the EU Strategy on connecting Europe and Asia is a significant step towards the convergence of the two continents and will contribute to facilitated access of European companies to the rapidly growing Asian markets, Moskovski said.

"Bulgaria has received significant support under the TEN-T policies for its 10-year EU membership period", Ivaylo Moskovski said. "A great part of railway and road infrastructure has already been constructed with EU funding and it is important for us to continue this process after 2020 as well", the Minister said. He stressed that the focus in the next financial framework should be on projects with high EU added value, including the overall construction of major transport routes.