13.08.2026
Our region’s future will be increasingly dependent on the Bulgaria-Türkiye connectivity that is a factor for the development of Southeast Europe and affords new opportunities for exchanges between Europe and Asia. This was stated by Prime Minister Rumen Radev at a meeting with Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye. The meeting was attended by Minister of Transport Georgi Peev.
The shared concept was that connectivity is important not just in crises but also for the stability, economic exchange and investment climate in the region and attracts investment for the development of projects not only in all types of transport – land, air and railway transport – but also in the sectors of digital technologies and energy. Accordingly, Prime Minister Rumen Radev recognized the importance of the Edirne-Lesovo-Elhovo-Yambol railway to be built as an alternative route to the railway that goes via the very busy border crossing point of Kapitan Andreevo - Kapıkule.
Energy connectivity was likewise discussed as an area of mutual interest. The meeting emphasized that joint operation along the green energy transmission corridors and the natural gas transit routes to Europe is in the interest of both countries. Prime Minister Rumen Radev pointed out, inter alia, that the cross-border energy connection between Bulgaria and Türkiye is of great importance for the region while the conditions provided to adjust the Bulgargas-BOTAŞ contract to the relevant market circumstances are already leading to a revival of interest in natural gas supplies from our neighbors along this route.
Early next summer, a huge interest is expected to Bulgaria and to the city of Bourgas that will host the Eurovision Song Contest. In connection with that the parties noted the good cooperation between Bulgaria and Türkiye in air traffic management and emphasized the importance of the Istanbul Airport which may give support to the Bourgas Airport to handle the arrivals of audiences for the music event in May next year.
