Bulgarian ports of Varna and Burgas may become part of Middle Corridor

The Black Sea ports of Varna and Burgas in Bulgaria may soon be integrated into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, as part of a strategic initiative to expand the route’s European reach.

According to Kazakhstan’s presidential office, the agreement was reached following talks between President Rumen Radev of Bulgaria and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan on June 9 in Astana.

"The importance of cooperation in the transport and logistics sector was emphasized during the talks. The sides agreed to explore the inclusion of the Bulgarian seaports of Burgas and Varna in the TITR project, which has already become one of the most significant strategic trade corridors," the statement from Akorda noted.

President Tokayev stressed that activating progress in this area would require the effective use of existing bilateral mechanisms, notably the Kazakhstan-Bulgaria Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. To that end, he proposed the establishment of a joint working group dedicated to transport and logistics collaboration under the commission’s framework.