Financing from European funds for Alexandroupolis’ port

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Costas Karamanlis, noted the role of Alexandroupolis and its port  as an energy, transport and military hub during the work of the Council of of EU Transport Ministers, held on Monday in Brussels, while extolling its inclusion in the extensive Trans-European Transport Network TEN-T.

The minister, in his intervention, emphasized that the TEN-T is the basis of the EU’s transport policy and investment priorities, and a tool for sustainability, cohesion and regional development, pointing out that the member states, in contrast with the past, moved with flexibility and adaptability to the new order shaped by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Funding unlocked

In addition, he emphasized that, with the inclusion of the port of Alexandroupolis in the TEN-T funding from European funds is unlocked, attracting the interest for private capital for infrastructure improvement.

Mr. Karamanlis also pointed out that Alexandroupolis, as an energy, transportation and military hub, now plays an important stabilizing role in the SE Europe region.

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 – Alexandroupolis in the Aegean with those of Burgas and Varna on the Black Sea and Ruse on the Danube.

Railway projects over 4.5 billion euros

The Minister underlined that Greece and Bulgaria are now moving forward in a coordinated way recognizing the lofty 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  implementation is expected to begin by 2023 and the connection of the five sea and one river port is expected to attract significant loads and flows between the countries of the Middle and Far East and the countries of the Black Sea and Eastern Europe, bypassing the straits of the Bosphorus.

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, Ms. A. Valean, about the “Sea2Sea” project and underlined the need for close cooperation and support from EU side.