Balgarianovinite.com An agreement for the construction of a new temporary border crossing, Kalotina 2–Gradina 2, will be signed soon, and Bulgaria and Serbia will find a solution to ease traffic congestion at their shared border, Serbian Prime Minister Duro Macut told BTA in his first interview with a Bulgarian media outlet.
Macut spoke after a bilateral meeting with Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova, held on the sidelines of the 30th Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Sofia. During the meeting, Iotova said that the construction of the temporary Kalotina 2–Gradina 2 border crossing would not only ease traffic but also bring economic and social benefits to citizens of both countries, the Bulgarian President’s Press Secretariat said.
The summit marked the 30th anniversary of the regional cooperation initiative launched by Bulgaria in 1996. BTA sought interviews on the occasion with representatives of all neighboring countries, including Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu, North Macedonia’s President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Serbian Prime Minister Duro Macut, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Macut signed the joint declaration concluding the Sofia summit, which placed a strong emphasis on regional economic integration and infrastructure corridors. This contrasted with last year’s SEECP summit in Tirana, where Serbia vetoed the declaration because of disagreements over language relating to security issues and Kosovo’s independence.
Asked whether the Sofia summit had sent a message of greater stability and dialogue in Southeast Europe, Macut replied in the affirmative.
“Absolutely. Stability comes first. That was not even a matter of debate because all of us share the position that peace must be preserved,” he said. Referring to conflicts in the wider region, Macut noted that SEECP participants demonstrated a commitment to stability and focused on practical solutions, stronger regional cooperation, and advancing European integration.
Discussing Serbia’s relations with Bulgaria, Macut described the two countries as close neighbors with traditionally strong ties.
“I have just met with President Iotova. We spoke very openly about issues that have remained unresolved for a long time but which, in my personal opinion, are not decisive for our excellent relations,” he said, expressing his belief that there is mutual understanding that these issues shall be resolved.
Macut said the two sides discussed plans for a new border crossing alongside the existing Kalotina–Gradina checkpoint. The project has already been discussed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, he added.
Asked whether there was a specific timeline for the construction of the temporary crossing, particularly given heavy summer traffic that affects commuters traveling between Serbia and Sofia, Macut said no exact deadline had been agreed.
“We did not discuss a specific timeframe, but I believe an agreement to begin the works will be signed soon, and a construction plan for the temporary border crossing will be prepared,” he said. “By the end of the tourist season, we will certainly have a solution”. Bulgaria and Serbia to Find Solution to Kalotina Border Traffic by End of Tourist Season, Serbian PM Tells BTA 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-06-11 10:55:47 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law