Political initiative for the train route between Greece, Bulgaria and Romaniafor a connection with Ukraine, was undertaken by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, following the tripartite contacts he made, accompanying the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at the Summit in Varna, Bulgaria, on October 9.

Following the Prime Minister’s initiatives, Mr. Staikouras promoted the idea of ​​launching a train, within the framework of the European Solidarity Lanes, to diversify the commercial connections of the Mediterranean ports with Ukraine, following a letter he sent to the Transport Commissioner of the EU, Adina – Ioana Vălean, the Bulgarian Minister of Finance, Assen Vassilev, the Bulgarian Minister of Transport and Communications, Georgi Gvozdeykov, and the Romanian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sorin – Mihai Grindeanu.

In particular, the train, in the first pilot phase, will connect the ports of Alexandroupolis and Thessaloniki, with the ports of Ruse in Bulgaria and Constanta in Romania, with Moldova and Ukraine.

The initiative was taken by Mr. Staikouras, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine has created economic and energy challenges, which significantly affect the integrity of the supply chain, as well as the energy security of the states, while there is an important need to diversify freight routes and connections.

According to Mr. Staikouras, this plan presents an important opportunity to overcome obstacles and delays from the past, to provide alternative options in the commercial relations of the states, while strengthening transport links and international freight transport.