The project to improve navigation on the Danube River FAST Danube 2 is ready to start on the Bulgarian side and is awaiting a signature from Romania in order to move towards real implementation. This became clear during a working visit by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Atanas Zafirov to Bucharest, where he held a meeting with the Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The Bulgarian delegation also included Deputy Minister of Interior Filip Popov and MEP Tsvetelina Penkova from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.
FAST Danube 2 is a strategic initiative aimed at the overall improvement of navigation conditions on the Danube River, through the implementation of modern technical and engineering solutions that will ensure year-round and safe navigability. The project aims to turn the Danube into a real, sustainable and competitive transport alternative, part of the core of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Bulgaria has already prepared a comprehensive project proposal, including a contractual framework, and has submitted it to the Romanian side for consideration. Once the agreement is signed by Romania, the project can be launched without delay, and will subsequently undergo ratification in the National Assembly.
During the visit, other key areas in the field of transport and infrastructure connectivity between the two countries were also discussed. These include the construction of a second bridge at Ruse-Giurgev, the development of a project for a new bridge between Silistra and Calarasi, as well as the expansion of ferry connections on the Danube River.
Deputy Prime Minister Zafirov emphasized that the successful implementation of FAST Danube 2 will unlock new economic opportunities for the entire region, facilitate trade exchange, create conditions for green logistics and promote the sustainable development of the Danube communities. In his words, this is a project with long-term added value, which combines transport, economy, ecology and integration in one common effort.
