Bulgaria supports reconstruction of the Highway M15 (Odesa-Reni, to Bucharest), and it is ready to help Ukraine obtain European Union funds for financing development of the documentation for the project. The Bulgarian side expressed this position during Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Andrii Pyvovarskyi’s visit to Sofia on 13 November, the press service of the Ministry of Infrastructure announced.

During the visit, Pyvovarskyi held meetings with Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev and Minister of Transport, Information Technology, and Communications Ivaylo Moskovski.

During the meeting with Donchev, Pyvovarskyi emphasized that Ukraine needs to attract investment from international financial institutions and European funds for implementation of road projects. In addition, Pyvovarskyi and Donchev discussed cooperation within the framework of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR).

During the meeting with Moskovski, Pyvovarskyi discussed the issue of restoration of direct air and rail links, cooperation within international organizations (BSEC and TRACECA), and the possibility of involving Ukrainian companies in dredging operations in the Bulgarian-Romanian section of River Danube.

They also discussed increase of transportation with the Viking combined train (Bulgaria is a participant in the project) with the involvement of cargo flows from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and other interested countries. To improve conditions of transportation by train ferry, Ukraine proposed improving its existing legal framework with Bulgaria. A working group was set up. 

As reported, the first UAH 115 million for reconstruction of the Odesa-Reni highway was received in October. Earlier, Minister of Infrastructure Andrii Pyvovarskyi said that repair of the highway would not begin without an approved project. The Odesa-Reni Highway M15 will be reconstructed in small sections of five kilometers. The contractor for the work on each section of the highway will be selected via a competition.