An agreement on the construction of a new border checkpoint between Bulgaria and Serbia is expected to be signed by the end of the summer tourist season, Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut said in Belgrade.
Macut made the statement following a meeting with Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Yotova, held on the sidelines of the 30th Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Sofia.
During their talks, the two discussed ways to improve connectivity and encourage investment exchange between Bulgaria and Serbia. The meeting took place at the National Palace of Culture, which hosted the high-level forum chaired by Bulgaria.
Yotova noted that the Bulgaria–Serbia gas interconnector and the motorway link between Sofia and Belgrade contribute significantly to the energy security and economic development of both countries and serve as an example of improved regional connectivity. She added that the construction of a temporary border checkpoint, Kalotina 2 – Gradina 2, would ease traffic flows and bring economic and social benefits to citizens on both sides of the border.
The Bulgarian vice president also raised the issue of depopulation in the border regions, stressing the need for targeted investments to counter negative demographic trends. According to her, cross-border cooperation instruments should be used more actively to strengthen the economies of the least developed border areas.
