Eastern Macedonia–Thrace Region joins balkan capitals tour
A delegation from the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, led by Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis, is taking part in a tour of Balkan capitals organized by the Interior Ministry’s Deputy Ministry for Macedonia and Thrace.
The tour began with a two-day round of meetings in Sofia, drawing strong participation from Greek and Bulgarian institutions and businesses. The Greek delegation is headed by Deputy Interior Minister for Macedonia and Thrace Konstantinos Gkioulekas, while Bulgaria was represented by Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Ivanov.
Topsidis joined a roundtable on regional and local government alongside governors from northern Greece and representatives of Greece’s municipal associations, holding talks with Bulgarian counterparts. He underlined the role of local authorities in promoting cross-border cooperation, joint infrastructure projects, use of European funding tools and support for local economies.
The regional governor also raised civil protection issues, including wildfire and flood prevention, management of animal diseases, and coordination on water resources in light of climate change and drought challenges. He referred to Interreg programmes as a key funding framework for joint cross-border initiatives and highlighted the need to lift restrictions on bus crossings at the Nymfaia border post in Komotini to strengthen connectivity.
Parallel thematic meetings are being held between Greek and Bulgarian representatives in sectors including local government, universities and research institutions, business and ports.
“Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is actively building bridges of cooperation that enhance development, entrepreneurship and our institutional ties with the neighbouring country,” Topsidis said.
The regional delegation also includes Deputy Regional Governor Charalambos Dalkitzis, Deputy Governor for Development, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Social Economy Alexandros Iosifidis, and senior planning official Spyros Arseniou.
