A cooperation agreement for the vertical road and rail axis connecting Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania was signed in Brussels by the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and the Ministers of Infrastructure and Transport of the three countries: Konstantinos Kyranakis (Greece), Grozdan Karadjov (Bulgaria), and Ionu? Cristian S?voiu (Romania).
This axis, which will link Thessaloniki with Bucharest via Alexandroupolis and Bulgaria, is of crucial importance for Europe. Commissioner Tzitzikostas had prioritized this project on his agenda from the moment he took office. Following continuous meetings with the responsible Ministers of the three countries and all relevant stakeholders, the cooperation agreement was signed and the precise plan for the axis, including specific timelines, was presented.
As the Commissioner emphasized, this will allow work to begin immediately so that the three countries can be connected by modern and safe rail and road infrastructure.
Project benefits
The advantages of the project include enhancing the strategic role of the three countries in the broader region, strengthening Europe’s security by connecting the Aegean Sea with the Black Sea and the Danube, and ultimately linking to Central Europe. The project also has significant implications for security, transport, mobility, trade, international outreach, and tourism.
The signing of the cooperation agreement represents an important step toward strengthening the connection between Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece along the European Transport Corridor from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea and Aegean Sea, and within the broader Trans-European Transport Network. It comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and increased security needs in Europe.
Significance of the memorandum
“The signing of the memorandum of understanding is far more than a formal act. It is a milestone for all of Europe. Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece are making a clear, collective choice to deepen cooperation to strengthen transport connections linking the three countries with each other and with Central Europe. Together, we send a strong message: the Black Sea–Aegean region is no longer a peripheral part of the EU. Here, two of Europe’s largest corridors intersect: the Baltic Sea–Black Sea–Aegean Sea corridor of the Trans-European Transport Network and the Rhine–Danube corridor. This intersection places a unique responsibility on Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania: to serve as guardians of the EU’s strategic economic arteries, vital supply chains, and military mobility routes,” emphasized Commissioner Tzitzikostas.
The Commissioner stressed that the signing of the cooperation agreement turns plans into tangible projects and highlighted the significance of the rail and road axis for European security:
“EU security needs are increasing, and our ability to move forces, goods, and energy across the European territory is central to Europe’s future. This axis from Thessaloniki to Alexandroupolis and Bucharest via Bulgaria, and onward to Central Europe, as well as eastward to Moldova and Ukraine, will be one of the most important, strategic, and secure corridors, providing a key mobility advantage for the EU and NATO. Equally important is the upgrading of the Thessaloniki–Promachonas–Kulata cross-border line, as it represents an investment in Europe’s operational readiness. These projects also drive competitiveness, offering substantial economic and developmental prospects.”
Timeline and next steps
Regarding the schedule and actions planned within the next year, Commissioner Tzitzikostas stated: “Today, we lay the political cornerstone. From tomorrow, we start building. By 2026, we will present a joint plan mapping the central, western, and eastern axis, set priorities, and present the complete financing plan. The cooperation agreement represents the political commitment of the EU and the three countries to implement this significant project, the most strategic transport link in Southeastern Europe. It is a true frontline of defense for our security, internal market, our three economies, and, above all, for our citizens.”
