The Council of Ministers in Sofia has approved as a basis for negotiation a draft memorandum between the governments of Bulgaria and Romania on the implementation of studies related to the construction of a new bridge over the Danube River between the Bulgarian city of Rousse and Romanian Giurgiu.

The construction of another bridge is necessary because of increased trade exchange on the Rhine-Danube transport corridor number 7. By signing the Memorandum, a basis will be created for improving transport connectivity between the two neighboring countries and for increasing economic activity in the region.

The regional authorities in Rousse and Giurgiu have recently expressed support for the project.

A second bridge over the Danube near Ruse will enable both Bulgaria and Romania to take on much greater traffic generated by road infrastructure under construction in Northern Bulgaria, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has commented.