A rail corridor linking China and Europe and providing a logistical alternative to existing routes via Russia and Iran, was officially launched Monday. The EU welcomed the new corridor and pointed out that "if the transport links between Turkey and Bulgaria were further improved, the project would provide a fast and reliable land link between Europe and Asia along the ancient Silk Road," media reported.

The railway tunnel, planned to pass under the Bosporus, before the rail reached Bulgaria and Western Europe, has not yet been completed. If this happened, Bulgaria could become a transit country, part of the route.

However, in order for Chinese companies to opt for a route through Bulgaria, the country has to renovate railway lines that would allow a speed of 120 km/h.