September 16 (BTA) - Connecting Europe Express train, which marks the European Year of Rail, 2021, made a stop in Bulgaria on Thursday, the Transport, IT and Communications Ministry said in a press release.

The train started its journey from Lisbon on September 2 and will arrive at Paris on October 7, after passing through more than 100 locations in Europe.

European Commission representatives are among the train passengers. Dirk Beckers, Director of The European Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Executive Agency (CINEA), led the official delegation when the train stopped in Sofia.

At Sofia's Central Railway Station Beckers was welcomed by caretaker Deputy Minister of Transport, IT and Communications Neli Andreeva and by officials of the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) and the Sofia Municipality.

A special postage stamp was validated to commemorate the European Year of Rail. LN/KK