Bulgaria is looking to set up a four-year infrastructure programme worth around €6.1 billion (US$7.05 billion), according to media reports.

Assen Vassilev, the finance minister, made the announcement, noting that the programme includes building up to five bridges across the Danube River to Romania and three road tunnels under the Stara Planina mountain range.

Work on the Struma and Cherno More motorways is also included in the programme, he said.

Meanwhile, the 103km-long Cherno More motorway will be part of the Pan-European Corridor VIII and link the major tourist cities of Varna and Burgas as it passes along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Several sections are already finished, including from the Asparuhov Bridge in Varna to the village of Priseltsi.