TEN-T projects and cross-border connections cooperation

7.1.2014

Question for written answer E-000059-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Vladko Todorov Panayotov (ALDE)

The TEN-T motorway network from Bulgaria to Greece in the Smolyan region has a missing link of almost 9 km on the Greek side. If this motorway road is completed, it will provide direct access to Greece and to Greek motorways, in particular to the Egnatia motorway, which is part of a major TEN-T project.

The building of the two-lane road from the town of Rudozem to the Greek border (approximately 9 km as well) was co-financed by the ISPA pre-accession financial instrument. This road ends at the Greek border and requires a 9 km vertical axis on the Greek side to connect it to the Greek road and motorway network.

What can the Commission do to enable this project, which is small but strategically important in terms of territorial cohesion, to be completed? The EU co-financing on the Bulgarian side has no added value whatsoever if the road from Rudozem to the Greek border is not continued to connect the Bulgarian municipality with its neighbouring municipality in Greece. Can the Commission provide assistance to Greece through the territorial cooperation instruments to construct this project? Are there any other means to enable this road to be constructed?

OJ C 279, 22/08/2014