Bulgaria, Greece and Romania launch a new investment plan for connectivity from the Aegean to the Black Sea

Better connectivity between Bulgaria, Greece and Romania should no longer just be talked about – it should finally turn into concrete projects. That was the focus of the high-level meeting “Friends of South-East Europe – Bridging the Gaps Together”, held as part of the Connecting Europe Days 2026. Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin, from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, took part in it.

A new action plan for transport infrastructure

During the meeting, the ministers of the three countries signed a new Action Plan for enhanced cross-border cooperation in transport infrastructure. It is meant to serve as the basis for a joint list of priority projects and a common investment strategy. The European Commission describes the document as the next step towards faster transport links between Bulgaria, Greece and Romania. It follows on from the Memorandum signed in December last year, when the three countries agreed to coordinate the planning, financing and construction of infrastructure along the Aegean Sea – Bulgaria – Danube – Romania route much more closely, instead of each country developing its own sections in isolation. These projects matter a great deal for Bulgaria too: a second Ruse–Giurgiu bridge, the prospect of new bridges at Silistra–Călărași and Nikopol–Turnu Măgurele, upgraded rail and road links along the north–south axis, and better connections between the ports of the Aegean and the Black Sea. The plan also covers modernising the Danube ferry links, including so that the infrastructure can be used in times of crisis.

What better connectivity means for Bulgaria

“For us, this has a very practical meaning. Better rail and road links mean faster movement of people and goods, more opportunities for Bulgarian businesses, better access to the ports in Greece and Romania and less congestion at the borders. And in today’s environment, transport connectivity is also a matter of security and resilient supply chains,” Kristian Vigenin explained.

Launch of the “Friends of South-East Europe” initiative

The meeting was attended by European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Investment Bank Vice-President Robert de Groot, the transport ministers of Bulgaria and Greece, Georgi Peev and Christos Dimas, Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Radu-Dinel Miruță, Greek Minister of National Defence Nikolaos Dendias, representatives of the European Parliament and the Executive Director of the EU Agency for Railways, Oana Gherghinescu. It also marked the official launch of the “Friends of South-East Europe” initiative, which the Bulgarian MEP has joined.

Clear deadlines and European funding

“It is important for Bulgaria that this process does not stay at the level of plans and declarations. We need clear deadlines, ready projects and sufficient European funding, including in the next multiannual financial framework. Only then can our geographical position between the Black Sea, the Danube and the Aegean become a real economic advantage,” Vigenin noted.