Greece and Bulgaria strengthen cross-border ties with new Demircik–Rudozem crossing
The crossing was the focus of a high-level event held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Rudozem border station in Bulgaria, as part of the Interreg Greece–Bulgaria cross-border cooperation programme. Christodoulos Topsidis, governor of Greece’s Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region, attended with a delegation of regional officials, alongside representatives of Bulgarian authorities and European institutions.
Topsidis said the opening of the road from Demircik to the Greek-Bulgarian border to traffic in January 2026 marked a significant step towards connecting the two countries. He described the crossing as more than a transport infrastructure project, arguing that it could become a link for communication, economic growth and shared opportunities.
NEW ROUTE EXPECTED TO SUPPORT TRADE AND TOURISM
The new connection is expected to improve accessibility between the two sides of the border and create opportunities for businesses, tourism and cultural exchanges. Officials also discussed how better transport links could bring regional markets closer together and strengthen ties between local communities.
Topsidis stressed, however, that increased cross-border mobility must be accompanied by safe and reliable road infrastructure.
He highlighted a €6.1 million project being implemented by the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region to improve road safety along six sections of the mountainous road network in Xanthi, covering a total of 17.3 kilometres. According to the regional administration, funding through the Interreg programme and the strategic CrossBo 2 project represents a positive development for the initiative.
The regional governor also identified securing funding to complete the remaining sections of the new vertical road corridor as a priority for the coming years. The region intends to continue seeking financial support during both the current and the next EU programming periods.
INTERREG AND CROSSBO 2 INVESTMENTS IN FOCUS
A panel discussion on connectivity and mobility in the cross-border region brought together representatives of European, national, regional and local institutions. Discussions covered infrastructure improvements, road safety, investment needs and ways to ensure that European funding delivers tangible benefits for communities on both sides of the border.
Participants included representatives of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), Greek and Bulgarian programme authorities, the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region, Bulgaria’s Smolyan Region, Egnatia Odos S.A. and Bulgaria’s Road Infrastructure Agency.
The CrossBo 2 strategic project builds on the results of the earlier CrossBo initiative and supports further interventions aimed at improving connectivity and road safety.
MEMORIAL HONOURS GREEK-BULGARIAN COOPERATION
During the event, Topsidis and the Greek delegation visited a memorial on Bulgarian territory near the border station, honouring those who helped bring the road connection to fruition.
They were joined by representatives of the Bulgarian side, including Smolyan Regional Governor Georgi Pepelanov. Topsidis also met Donka Tzilingirova, daughter of the late Georgi Tzilingirov, former president of the Greek-Bulgarian Friendship Association and one of the figures credited with advancing cross-border cooperation.
Tzilingirova thanked the Greek delegation and recalled her father’s commitment to cooperation and communication between the two peoples. His vision was encapsulated in the phrase: “Where there are roads, there is life.”
The project is being presented by regional officials as a foundation for closer Greek-Bulgarian relations and more sustainable development in the border region. Its longer-term impact will depend in part on completing the remaining road sections and securing continued investment.
