EC Praises Opening of 2nd Bulgaria-Romania Bridge

EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn will mark an historic moment between Bulgaria and Romania, and the neighbouring regions of Vidin and Calafat, when he attends the inaugural opening of a bridge linking the two countries.

"This bridge is a powerful symbol of EU Regional Policy connecting communities and creating vital business links. Today the New Europe Bridge is not just opening for traffic, but it is ushering in a whole range of opportunities for business and research on both sides of the water, and beyond,” Hahn declared in a statement ahead of the official inauguration on Friday.

"I am confident that the collaboration between Romania and Bulgaria - which we have helped foster through the Danube Strategy and which has made this project possible, will create the incentive for more connections, and will benefit both countries hugely,” he added.

The European Commission reminds that the New Europe Bridge, formally known as the Calafat-Vidin Bridge, forms an essential part of the EU's priority road and rail transport corridors, and is expected to radically reduce the travel time for passengers and freight between South East Europe, Turkey and Central Europe. The bridge will reach its full potential when completely connected with upgraded rail and road networks on both sides. Romania and Bulgaria have already begun establishing these vital links.

Commissioner Hahn will be accompanied by Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski of Bulgaria, as well as Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

The recently named ‘New Europe Bridge’ (commonly known as Danube Bridge 2) has received EUR 106 M in EU investment and is only the second bridge along the countries' 630 km border. It is of vital strategic importance for the EU: a key link in a route that could stretch from Northern Europe, the Baltics, through Central Europe, Romania and Bulgaria, and eventually, to Greece.