MoI Demerdzhiev: We Are Actively Working to Accelerate the Construction of the New "Kapitan Andreevo – North" Border Crossing

Bulgaria is actively working to accelerate the construction of the new border crossing point with the Republic of Turkey—“Kapitan Andreevo–North.” It is designed exclusively for heavy goods vehicles and aimed at cutting waiting times at the European Union’s busiest land border, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior said on September 11.

“Our goal is shared – to have a border that is both secure and fast. The new strategic Kapitan Andreevo–Kapıkule North border crossing will contribute to better and more efficient traffic management and improve cross-border connectivity,” Minister of Interior, Ivan Demerdzhiev, said.

Turkey’s Deputy Trade Minister Sezai Uçarmak said the project, which will be dedicated entirely to heavy goods vehicles, would improve traffic efficiency and help stimulate new trade links. He thanked the Bulgarian government for its efforts to strengthen and develop relations between the two countries.

The delegations inspected the site earmarked for the future crossing. It will be located near the village of Kapitan Andreevo, north of the existing border checkpoint. Its proximity to the current crossing is expected to make the construction of connecting infrastructure considerably easier.

Both sides expressed readiness to sign an agreement on the construction of the crossing in the coming days and establish a joint expert commission to determine its technical specifications. The project is part of a wider strategy to improve border controls and represents an important step for the Trans-European Transport Network.

The talks also focused on close cooperation between border and customs authorities in the fight against drug trafficking, smuggling and illegal migration. During the peak holiday season, priority was given to measures to ease the transit of Turkish citizens travelling to and from Western Europe.

The Bulgarian side also stressed that work is under way to expand and reconstruct all three major border crossings with Turkey – Kapitan Andreevo, Lesovo and Malko Tarnovo.

Representatives of Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry, Customs Agency and Border Police Directorate also took part in the bilateral talks. The meeting was held at the Kapıkule border crossing and followed discussions during Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi’s visit to Sofia.