K. Karamanlis emphasized that, with the inclusion of the port of Alexandroupolis in the TEN-T, “they unlock financing from European funds, attracting, at the same time, the interest for private capital, for the improvement of its infrastructure”.
On the importance of integration approval of the port of Alexandroupolis on the extensive Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport mentioned Kostas Karamanlis, during the work of the Council of Ministers of Transport of the EU, held today Monday in Brussels.
Mr. Karamanlis in his intervention pointed out that Alexandroupolis, as an energy, transportation and military hub, plays, now, an important stabilizing role in the region of SE Europe. “This result came after concerted efforts of the last three years and gives this port the geostrategic importance it deserves within the TEN-T,” said the minister.
The Minister emphasized that the TEN-T is “the basis of the EU’s transport policy and investment priorities, and, at the same time, a tool for sustainability, cohesion and regional development”, pointing out that the member states, unlike in the past, moved with flexibility and adaptability to the new order created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As he noted: “Alexandroupoli, through its multiple and stabilizing roles for the region as an energy, transport and military hub, is now a port of the extended TEN-T”.
In addition, he emphasized that, with the inclusion of the port of Alexandroupoli in the TEN-T, “they unlock funding from European funds, attracting, at the same time, the interest for private capital, for the improvement of its infrastructure”.
Mr. Karamanlis also made special reference to the transnational project of common interest “Sea2Sea”, which concerns the railway connection of the ports of Thessaloniki – Kavala – Alexandroupoli in the Aegean with those of Burgas and Varna on the Black Sea and Ruse on the Danube.
The Minister underlined that Greece and Bulgaria are now moving forward in a coordinated way recognizing the high goals of the Regulation Proposal for the formation of a European Network of high standards, without exclusions, with possibilities for attracting funds. “Already, through the process of competitive dialogue, we announced the railway projects, the largest railway projects program ever, with a budget exceeding 4.5 billion euros and which, when completed, will change the transport map”, underlining that “railway projects mean progress, strengthening the international position of our country, local development, better everyday life and quality of life”.
In fact, he emphasized that “by 2023 their implementation is expected to begin and this connection of the five sea and one river port is expected to attract significant loads and flows between countries of the Middle and Far East and countries of the Black Sea and Eastern Europe, as it bypasses the Bosporus straits”.
On the sidelines of the Council, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Karamanlis, together with his Bulgarian counterpart, Mr. Alexiev, informed the Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. A. Valean, about the “Sea2Sea” project and underlined the need for close cooperation and support from EU side.
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