Transport Infrastructure Projects. Starting from 1994, thanks to the establishment of the Cross-Border programme between Greece and Bulgaria, substantial funds were made available to improve and strengthen the co- operation of the two border regions. In order to have a longer term strategic approach, reduce the isolation and encourage investments and cross-border trade, the governments of Bulgaria and Greece signed on 22 December 1995 a bilateral agreement, by which they agree to open three new border crossing links: Kurdjali – Komotini, Gotse Deltsev - Drama, and Rudozem – Xanthi. This bilateral agreement has since been the basis for the previous development of the Bulgaria-Greece border region. Consequently, each country has undertaken to carry out the necessary feasibility and technical studies in order to ensure appropriate road links to the proposed crossing points. During the previous years, Phare CBC programmes and INTERREG programmes have contributed to the implementation of this bilateral agreement, by financing the construction of the first border crossing road (Gotse Deltsev – Drama): • Under CBC BG/GR 1998 , € 9 million for the Bulgarian access road to Ilinden (on the border between Gotse Deltsev and Drama); • Under CBC BG/GR 1998 , €3 million for the new Bulgarian check point at Ilinden ; • Under CBC BG/GR 1998 , €11.82 million for Rehabilitation of E85 road ; • Under CBC BG/GR 1998 , €23.20 million for Rehabilitation of E79 road; • Under INTERREG II , Greek access road to Ilinden; • Under CBC BG/GR 2000 , €17 million for the construction of the 17.67 Km access road (Podkova-Makaza) to the new border- crossing between Greece and Bulgaria (Makaza - Nimfea); • Under CBC BG/GR 2000 , €3 million for the construction of a Cut & Cover tunnel at Gotse Deltsev – Drama border crossing; • Under CBC BG/GR 2001 , €7 million for the new Bulgarian check point at Makaza; • Under CBC BG/GR 2002: Rehabilitation and Partial Reconstruction of Road II-19 “Razlog – Bansko – Gotse Delchev – Sadovo, €9.3 million; • Under CBC BG/GR 2002: Construction of Second tube of the Tunnel at km 327 on road E-79 (Dupnitsa By-Pass), €3.8 million. The following project is a logical step forward to the achievement of the programme objectives. 2004/016-782-01.01: Construction of Road II-80/E-85/ from Novo Selo to “Xxxxxxx” Motorway, km 0+000 to km 3+490 Only two operational border crossing points between Bulgaria and Greece exist at Kulata and Novo Selo, the access to which was upgraded by the rehabilitation works t...
