Bulgaria and Georgia to establish twice daily ferry services between their Black Sea ports

Sofia, Bulgaria (Ports Europe) April 18, 2019 – Bulgaria and Georgia will increase ferry services between their Black Sea ports from twice weekly to twice daily, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said after meeting in Sofia his Georgian counterpart Mamuka Bakhtadze. Borisov said: "Georgia is an important partner for us on the other side of the Black Sea. Georgia is a gateway for eight other countries in the region and a gateway for the Black Sea. In relation to the ferry transport between our two countries we aim in the very short term to increase the capacity of these connections (up to two daily), to eliminate all the administrative obstacles, so that we ensure the connectivity between Georgia and the region, the Balkans and Europe“. He added that this is going to happen in parallel with the infrastructure projects that Bulgaria is engaged in increasing the capacity of Varna and Burgas ports, highway and railway network of Bulgaria and the Balkans. "In terms of Eastern Partnership, there should be a merits-based assessment. We shall support all infrastructural projects related to TEN-T, in terms of digital connectivity, by establishing a digital connection - a cable between Bulgaria and Georgia. We aim within the next few months to start the implementation of this project and namely a cable will be laid in the waters of the Black Sea. It will give the opportunity for the whole Caucasus region to access high speed internet and digital infrastructure that exists in Europe. Georgia can rely on our support and the execution of the project also aligns with our legislation and policies". Bakhtadze said that in recent years Bulgaria has become one of the top 10 trading partners of Georgia, adding that Georgia sees the potential to further extend trade and economic cooperation in the future. Georgia and Bulgaria are connected geographically - the Black Sea builds a natural bridge between the countries, offering unique opportunities and bearing huge potential, especially in the fields of transport, and specifically the further development of ferry connections between seaports of Georgia (Batumi, Poti) and Bulgaria (Burgas, Varna). Georgia has three leading ports alongside its Black Sea coastline, Anaklia, Batumi and Poti, and they are all seeking a role in the region’s expanding international trade corridors, driven primarily by China and other Asian countries seeking faster and more controlled access to European markets. Key is the new Silk Road, a Chinese economic strategy to seek better access for Chinese-made products in European markets, which includes acquiring stakes in ports (especially underdeveloped ones) and other transport facilities, and cooperation agreements with countries along the Silk Road routes. The new Silk Road (part of the Belt and Road initiative also known as One Belt, One Road, or OBOR) is a Chinese economic strategy to seek better access for Chinese-made products in European markets, which includes acquiring stakes in ports and other transport facilities, and cooperation agreements with countries along the Silk Road routes. Copyright (C) Ports Europe. All Rights Reserved. 2019.

Bulgaria and Georgia to establish twice daily ferry services between their Black Sea ports

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Bulgaria and Georgia to establish twice daily ferry services between their Black Sea ports

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