Bulgaria and Turkey have agreed to establish a new border crossing north of the existing Kapitan Andreevo-Kapıkule checkpoint, aiming to improve transit and reduce congestion between the two countries.
The Bulgarian government approved a bilateral framework that includes the creation of a joint technical commission. The commission will define routes, infrastructure needs, customs facilities, operating procedures, and arrangements for passenger and freight traffic at the proposed crossing.
The current Kapitan Andreevo-Kapıkule checkpoint is one of the busiest land crossings between the European Union and Asia, serving as a key route for trade, tourism, and seasonal travel. According to Bulgarian Trade Ministry data, around 14 million vehicles passed through the checkpoint last year, representing roughly one-third of the traffic at Bulgaria’s customs gates.
Traffic peaks during holiday periods, particularly in summer, when Turkish expatriates return from Europe, often causing long queues. Bulgarian citizens also frequently travel to Edirne for shopping and cultural events, highlighting the route’s economic and social importance.
The Bulgaria-Turkey border stretches 269 kilometers, making it Turkey’s third-longest frontier. In addition to Kapıkule, Turkey maintains two other crossings with Bulgaria: Hamzabeyli-Lesovo and Aziziye-Dereköy-Malko Tarnovo.