If we do not join Schengen, my proposal is, without violating European legislation, the border control between Bulgaria and Romania to be resolved bilaterally and the barriers to be lifted, this is possible and we should do it, also as a sign of protest, said MEP Andrei Novakov. He took part in the panel discussion “Future of Transport, Digitalization, Green Cities and Food Security” at the Green Transition and CEE 2023 Forum in Sofia. The organizers are dir.bg and 3E News and BTA is a media partner.
In his words, the reason why there are no more bridges between Bulgaria and Romania over the Danube is because of the strategy of the Romanian side and its decision to develop its infrastructure west towards Hungary and not south towards Bulgaria. He noted that on the other side of our major cities there are small towns that do not match them in scale and “clearly the interest is not to connect.” According to Novakov, there is money for bridges over the Danube, but there is no desire to build them. He expressed the opinion that it is a matter of bilateral talks “to manage to convince our friends, neighbours to the north, that they border the EU to the south as well and that this is in their interest”.
Regarding electric transport, Novakov noted that 70% of charging stations are in three countries. He noted the need for infrastructure, but said it was “on the verge” of building charging stations with taxpayers’ money. According to him, the market in the country will stimulate their construction if the need arises and people actively use such vehicles.