Türkiye and Bulgaria Plan New Railway Link Toward Romania

🇹🇷🇧🇬 New Railway to Link Türkiye and Bulgaria Toward Romania

Türkiye and Bulgaria are preparing to strengthen their transport and energy links, including a new railway route from Edirne through Lesovo, Elhovo and Yambol that would provide an alternative connection to the congested Kapitan Andreevo–Kapıkule border crossing.

The project was highlighted during a meeting in Sofia between Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and Bulgarian officials.

“The future of our region will increasingly be shaped by connectivity between Bulgaria and Türkiye as a driver of development in Southeast Europe, creating new opportunities for exchange between Europe and Asia.”

🚆 New Railway Connection

The planned Edirne–Lesovo–Elhovo–Yambol railway is intended to provide an alternative to the existing railway connection through the heavily congested Kapitan Andreevo–Kapıkule border crossing.

The route could improve the movement of goods and passengers between Türkiye and Bulgaria and strengthen regional connectivity.

🌍 The two countries said that stronger connectivity is important for regional stability, economic exchange and the investment climate.

⚡ Energy Cooperation

Bulgaria and Türkiye also discussed cooperation on green-energy transmission corridors and routes for transporting natural gas to European markets.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev described the cross-border energy connection between the two countries as extremely important for the region.

He also said that conditions created to adapt the agreement between Bulgarian state gas company Bulgargaz and Turkish company BOTAŞ to current market conditions are generating renewed interest in gas deliveries from neighbouring countries through the route.

🛣️ Black Sea Motorway

The talks also covered the future Black Sea motorway linking Varna and Burgas and its planned extension toward Romania.

Uraloğlu said Turkish companies and specialists are expected to participate actively in the construction. The project could be developed with Turkish investment through a public-private partnership and is expected to be a long-term project.

“For Turkish investors, the issue is not simply to come, build the road and leave.”

✈️ Air Traffic Cooperation

Türkiye and Bulgaria also discussed cooperation in air traffic management, particularly ahead of Eurovision 2027, which will be held in Burgas next May.

The two countries noted the importance of their existing cooperation in managing air traffic and the potential role of Istanbul Airport in helping Burgas handle the expected increase in international visitors.