Romania Ready to Remove Danube Bridge Tolls

Bulgarian European Affairs Minister Gergana Gruncharova described the readiness shown by Romania to remove the tolls charged for crossing the Danube Bridge at Rousse-Giurgiu (North Central Bulgaria-South Central Romania) as "a very encouraging signal." Gruncharova was reacting to a statement made by State Secretary Adrian Ciocanea, Head of the Romanian Government's Department for European Integration. The bridge toll topped the agenda of Gruncharova's recent meeting with Romania's Secretary of State for European Affairs Raduta Matache, BTA reported. "I am happy with the Romanin side's prompt reaction; this matter has been pursued by the Simeon II National Movement party for six years," Gruncharova said, adding that "this is not a transportation matter, rather, the easing of free movement for persons is a European question: the interior of the EU must unite people. The bridge is currently the only one between the two countries and the tolls are illogical. The fewer bridges there are, the easier the means of travelling over them must be." Another bridge, at Vidin-Calafat (Northwestern Bulgaria-Southwestern Romania), is under construction, and a third one, at Silistra-Calarasi (Northeastern Bulgaria-Southeastern Romania), is on the drawing board.