site.btaOutgoing Deputy PM Vassilev: Negotiation of Alexandroupolis-Burgas-Varna-Constanta Corridor at Final Phase

The negotiation of an Alexandroupolis-Burgas-Varna-Constanta corridor is at a final phase, complete with high speed railway, motorway connection and pipelines, outgoing deputy prime minister and finance minister Assen Vassilev said. He was speaking at Saturday’s discussion of the future of the local mountain region in Banite near Smolyan (Southern Bulgaria). Participating in the discussion were also Regional Governor Emil Humchev, MPs for Continue the Change Party and municipal councilors from Smolyan region.

The need of north-south corridors has been discussed both with Greek partners and the Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean, Vassilev said. The idea is to connect the Aegean with Central Europe, crossing the two mountains [the Rhodopes and the Balkan Range] and the river [Danube] on the way, he added.

As the fastest depopulating region, Smolyan requires targeted state policy and support, Humchev said in turn. 

Focusing on the problems of the region, they came to the conclusion that a public agreement with all political parties, citizens and business is needed to draw a road map for the development of the region, said Emil Humchev. According to him, the idea of such a roadmap is to define strategic priorities to be followed and implemented by each successive holder of power. 

The major problems of the region are related to infrastructure and in order to attract new investors, the connectivity of the region should be improved, he thinks.