The current meeting in Tirana is part of the overall strategic goal of strengthening connectivity, regional cooperation and collective security, said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Nikolay Pavlov at the Ministerial Meeting and Economic Forum dedicated to Corridor 8.
“My country highly appreciates the strong political commitment demonstrated today by all partners. The development of the trans-European transport and energy network is among the most important strategic projects of the European Union – railways, roads, ports, airports, energy interconnectors and digital infrastructure – are not just technical systems, they are the backbone of the economic strength of the EU, connectivity, sustainability and security,” Nikolay Pavlov said at a press conference after the meeting.
He added that the construction of Corridor 8 has always been a priority of national importance for Bulgaria and that over the years the country has undertaken systematic and continuous efforts to complete all segments of its route. Pavlov pointed out that today Corridor 8 goes beyond the framework of an infrastructure initiative of economic importance, as it is already a strategic East-West axis that connects the region, markets, partners and plays a significant role in guaranteeing regional security.
Nikolay Pavlov added that in the current geopolitical situation, Corridor 8 is of fundamental importance for security and defense. According to him, military mobility remains a cornerstone for European security and a common strategic priority.
Pavlov added that effective and sustainable infrastructure is essential for deterrence and for the collective defense of NATO, as well as for strengthening cooperation between the EU and NATO.
He expressed the full commitment of Bulgaria to the construction of all components of Corridor 8, as well as readiness to continue cooperation on this project with its partners and to host the next meeting dedicated to Corridor 8.
In response to a question about the extent to which the projects within Corridor 8 have been completed by the Bulgarian side, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that Bulgaria is working with priority on the full implementation of this corridor in all its dimensions and relies on the European instruments that can be used to finance this project. He expressed his conviction that Corridor 8 will remain a priority for Bulgaria.
“The very fact that we are here at this meeting and that we have just received confirmation from all the countries through which the corridor passes, for their readiness to work for the full implementation of this corridor, gives good hope that in a future period we will have its full completion. In this way, all that we discussed with the other colleagues from the countries will lead to greater security for the region, its better integration into the European Union, many more opportunities for the economy, for investments, for the development of tourism,” Pavlov explained.
Asked what, in his opinion, are the obstacles to the faster implementation of the project, whether they are technical or administrative and whether they are linked to political misunderstanding, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said that our country is working with priority for Corridor 8 and whatever difficulties there may be, Bulgaria will cope with them.
“We are talking about a rather complex, large-scale project, a corridor with many dimensions, a corridor, the construction of which would cost a lot of money, so its implementation is certainly not easy, it is time-consuming, but I believe that we are at a stage where this long-term project is already entering its decisive phase of implementation and we will be getting closer and closer to its completion,” Nikolay Pavlov said.
He added that each of the countries has the task and the need, within its capabilities, to work with priority for the implementation of the project.
“From the Bulgarian side, I reaffirm the priority of the project and the will to work on all these difficulties for its implementation, so that at a future moment we can have this axis completed, which will also bring more security and more opportunities for Bulgaria – for our business, for our tourism and in general for the stability and development of the entire Balkan region,” the Deputy Foreign Minister further said to BTA.
He recalled the agreement reached in November 2025 for the construction of a tunnel facility between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, which was ratified a few days ago by the National Assembly without a single vote “against”.
“This agreement was ratified and already gives the opportunity to start the practical implementation of this long-awaited, long-prepared project of exceptional importance, so that it connects us with our neighbor and is an integral and important part of the implementation of the entire corridor,” said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.
Corridor 8 is an infrastructure project that connects the Adriatic with the Black Sea through Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia and Bulgaria, extending to Italy and Romania. The pan-European Transport Corridor 8 is a key component of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
The Ministerial Meeting was held in the Palace of the Brigades in the Albanian capital under the chairmanship of the Albanian Foreign Minister, Olisa Xhafa. The meeting was attended by delegations led by the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Pavlov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia, Timcho Mucunski, and the Romanian Ambassador to Tirana, Octavian Șerban.