C.P.(Gen)Doc.1.J.33.
Article 28
Proposed Article 28 bis (of a new section entitled “Communications”).
Add after Article 28 a new article 28 bis reading as follows:
- 1.
- “Bulgaria undertakes to link up her railway system with the Greek railways, at (Frontier station to be determined) on the normal gauge line which connects Sofia with Salonika, through the valley of the Strymon and Sidirokastron.
- 2.
- “The operation of this line handling the transformation [transportation?] in both directions of persons and freight between Greece and Bulgaria and any other country, will be governed by the regulations in force for international railway traffic. The general and special tariffs applicable to these two lines will not be higher than those prevailing [Page 717] in the internal sources of the two countries. Until through tariffs come into operation, rail traffic will be based on the principle of reconsignment.
- 3.
- “Greece and Bulgaria will take the necessary steps to erect and complete on their respective territories the plants and installations required for such a line operating at full peak within a maximum period of three months from the entry into force of the present Treaty.
- 4.
- “Bulgaria shall also facilitate in every way the normal service and despatching of trains and cars towards … (frontier station on her territory to be determined) as well as to the frontier station of Svilengrad.
- “Bulgaria shall also find accommodation in such frontier stations for the personnel of the Greek railways as service exigencies require.
- 5.
- “Any disputes which may arise concerning the interpretation and execution of the present Article will be referred to an arbitrator, who, on the request of either of the Governments concerned will be appointed by the Director-General of the European Central Inland Transport Organization (ECITO). The arbitrator’s ruling will be final.”
There is no railway connection between Greece and Bulgaria along a frontier of 480 kilometers except for the line Svilengrad-Turkey, which, as it is situated at the eastern end of the frontier, cannot for geographical reasons serve traffic requirements.
The problem of railway connections has in the past, been frequently discussed by the economic circles in both countries. However, no solution could be found in view of the great costs involved. The essential section of railway between Sofia and Koula was of normal gauge only up to Simitli. Between Simitli and Koula there was only a narrow-gauge line (0.93 meters) which had no essential value. It would therefore have been necessary to widen this line over a section of about 80 km.
At the Varna Congress of the International Railway Union in 1938 it was formally recognised and mentioned in the minutes of the Congress proceedings that a railway connection between Greece and Bulgaria was necessary.
It was, however, agreed that technical difficulties due to the narrow gauge track beyond Simitli made it temporarily impossible to effect this connection and for this reason a motor service was organized, which in anticipation of the future railway service, worked nearly up to the eve of the war.
During the war the narrow gauge line was replaced by a normal track up to the Greek frontier. Consequently, the problem of a railway connection has been automatically solved as far as construction is concerned. It only remains to settle the formal side of the question.
[Page 718]The Greek Delegation is convinced that, quite apart from political considerations, it is essential to get this railway connection functioning for the maximum benefit not only of the communications between the two countries but of international traffic also.