Greece, Bulgaria, Romania MoU Boosts SE Europe Rail & Transport Corridor

Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania have formalized a significant commitment to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to intensify cross-border transport infrastructure cooperation. This landmark agreement aims to accelerate the modernization and interoperability of key rail, road, and inland waterway links across Southeast Europe, establishing a crucial North-South corridor.

The Memorandum of Understanding underscores a unified resolve to expedite the modernization and interoperability of critical rail, road, and inland waterway routes. This initiative is poised to significantly bolster regional integration and elevate connectivity throughout Southeast Europe, reinforcing the strategic importance of the region within the broader European transport network.

Black Sea-Aegean Corridor Platform Established

At the heart of this intensified cooperation is the establishment of the Black Sea-Aegean Corridor Platform (BACP). This dedicated regional framework will oversee the development and modernization of cross-border transport infrastructure, facilitating efficient project planning and implementation. The primary objective of the BACP is to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted logistics flow by harmonizing the efforts of Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania. The strategy involves the joint mobilization of European Union funds and national resources, the streamlining of administrative procedures, and the acceleration of the deployment of multifunctional infrastructure designed to address climate change challenges along the corridor.

Strategic Corridor Development and Multimodal Connections

The Black Sea-Aegean Corridor will be structured along three distinct axes, integrating multimodal connections within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). These axes encompass inland waterways, railways, roads, ports, airports, multimodal terminals, bridges, and urban nodes across the core, extended, and comprehensive TEN-T networks. The agreement formalizes the modernization of three north-south corridors connecting the three nations to foster interoperable rail traffic and optimized road infrastructure. These include a western axis (Athens – Thessaloniki – Promachonas – Sofia – Vidin/Calafat – Craiova – Bucharest), a central axis (Thessaloniki/Alexandroupoli – Ormenio – Svilengrad – Ruse – Giurgiu – Bucharest – Siret – Ungheni), and an eastern axis (Alexandroupoli – Ormenio – Svilengrad – Stara Zagora – Burgas/Varna – Constanta).

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Through the BACP, the participating countries aim to achieve several key objectives, including the smooth movement of passengers and goods, stimulation of regional trade, and strengthening of economic and social ties. By enhancing this strategic corridor, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania seek to improve access to regional and European markets, reduce transport times, and promote sustainable mobility. This focus on sustainable mobility is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and fostering the development of more environmentally friendly infrastructure, aligning with broader European climate goals.

Dual-Use Infrastructure and Digital Innovation

A significant aspect of the BACP’s mandate involves the implementation of cross-border projects with dual civil-military use, adhering to stringent technical and operational standards. This includes integrating climate resilience and military mobility objectives. Furthermore, considerable emphasis will be placed on interoperability and the harmonization of standards for critical projects such as the installation of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and the facilitation of 740-meter-long freight trains. The countries are also committed to introducing large-scale innovations and digital solutions, including 5G infrastructure, digital logistics platforms, and advanced traffic optimization systems, to create a highly competitive, connected, and secure regional transport ecosystem.

The countries are also committed to introducing large-scale innovations and digital solutions, including 5G infrastructure, digital logistics platforms, and advanced traffic optimization systems, to create a highly competitive, connected, and secure regional transport ecosystem.