Velislava Petrova: Corridor VIII Is a Strategic Link for the Security and Development of the Region
08 October 2026 News
Corridor VIII is of strategic interest to Europe and our Euro-Atlantic partners. Today, connectivity means much more than roads and railway lines — it is a matter of geopolitics, economic opportunities and security. This was stated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Petrova at the opening of the International Conference on Corridor VIII in Sofia.
The conference is being held in three thematic panels dedicated to the geopolitical significance of Corridor VIII, transport, energy and economic connectivity, as well as regional security and resilience, including military mobility and crisis response.
Minister Petrova emphasised that the changed security environment in Europe has also changed the approach to infrastructure. Reliable transport routes, diversified supply chains, energy interconnections and resilient critical infrastructure are key to both economic development and security.
Corridor VIII has the potential to become a strategic East–West axis connecting the Adriatic and Black Seas and bringing the Western Balkans closer to the European Union. “For Bulgaria, this has been a long-standing priority, the implementation of which has not always received the necessary impetus. However, its significance extends far beyond our national interest,” the Minister stated.
She noted that in 2027, Bulgaria and the European Commission will host a Regional Connectivity Summit. The forum will promote the development of connections between Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as their access to the European market via the Middle Corridor. The ambitions by 2030 include diversifying routes, tripling trade flows and significantly reducing transit times.
“For our region to reap the maximum benefits from this momentum, we must also highlight the synergies between the Middle Corridor and Corridor VIII,” Velislava Petrova stated. She emphasised that political commitment must be translated into tangible infrastructure, investment and operational connections.
Corridor VIII must be developed as an integrated system that supports not only transport but also energy connectivity, trade, investment and economic cooperation. Its success will also depend on the extent to which the infrastructure developed is actually used.
Minister Petrova also highlighted the importance of the corridor for military mobility. “The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how important the rapid and unhindered movement of military forces, equipment and supplies across Europe is. Military mobility is not an abstract concept, but an immediate necessity,” she stated. According to her, Corridor VIII can strengthen East–West connectivity and, in combination with other regional routes, contribute to better North–South connections through Bulgaria.
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