The transport ministries of Bulgaria, Romania and Greece have agreed to submit joint project applications under the 2026 call of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the transport sector, according to the Bulgarian News Agency. The call, which runs until 6 October 2026, covers two funding streams: the Cohesion Package and the Mobility Package. The move is intended to strengthen cross-border infrastructure links between the three countries and improve access to EU funds for projects of regional significance.
The announcement was made following discussions among the three ministries, which have been exploring ways to coordinate investment in transport networks that connect the Black Sea with the Aegean and the wider European corridor. Joint bids are expected to focus on road, rail and intermodal projects that would benefit all three states, although specific project names have not yet been disclosed. The CEF is a key EU funding instrument for trans-European transport networks, with a budget of around €25.8 billion for the 2021-2027 period, of which a significant share is allocated to transport infrastructure.
The decision comes as the region faces growing pressure to modernise its transport links, partly to support economic recovery and partly to improve military mobility along NATO's eastern flank. Bulgaria, Romania and Greece have all identified infrastructure bottlenecks as a barrier to trade and investment. For Romania, better connectivity with its southern neighbours could also help ease pressure on its overstretched road network and support the development of its Black Sea ports. Greece, for its part, sees closer transport links with the north as a way to expand its role as a logistics hub for southeast Europe.
The 2026 CEF call is one of the last major opportunities for EU member states to secure funding under the current multiannual financial framework. Projects submitted under the Cohesion Package are typically reserved for countries with lower per-capita income, which includes Bulgaria and Romania, while the Mobility Package is open to all member states. The three countries have previously cooperated on smaller cross-border projects, but this is the first time they have announced a coordinated approach to a full CEF application round.
Industry observers note that joint bids can be more competitive because they demonstrate clear European added value and cross-border impact, which are among the main criteria used by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) when evaluating proposals. However, they also require a high degree of administrative coordination, which has sometimes proven difficult in the past. The three ministries have not yet indicated which projects will be prioritised, but transport officials in Sofia and Bucharest have hinted that rail modernisation and the development of corridor VIII, which links the Black Sea with the Adriatic, could be among the candidates.
The announcement was welcomed by business groups in the region, which have long called for better transport links to reduce logistics costs and attract foreign investment. A joint approach to EU funding is seen as a practical way to overcome national budget constraints, especially at a time when several governments in the region are facing rising debt costs and tighter fiscal space. The outcome of the 2026 call is expected to be announced in early 2027, with project implementation likely to run until the end of the decade.