By Violeta Bulc, European Transport Commissioner
By signing the Transport Community Treaty this week in Trieste, the Western Balkan countries will establish a structure for standardising traffic rules and regulations and their compliance with EU standards. It will also enable greater connectivity and integration with the rest of the European transport network.
The Western Balkans is a region I am immensely proud of – not just because of the common history we share in that region, but because the Western Balkans is a place of warm people and outstanding natural beauty. Its strategic location between the EU and Asia means the Western Balkans region has an immense potentiality.
Those who dared to dream two or three decades ago had a clear vision for my country – a prosperous Slovenia playing its role in the world and being a role model on the European stage.
Few would have thought that just over twenty years after gaining independence, Slovenia would have its place at the table in Brussels. Yet today that is very much a reality. Slovenia has a strong, growing economy. There are those outside Montenegro who share that dream too, and I am one of those who dare to dream about a bright future for Montenegro.
I am convinced that close cooperation with the other countries in the Western Balkans is the best way to bring peace and prosperity to Montenegro. Just as the EU was set up as a coal and steel community, with cross border cooperation, paving the way for peace and prosperity, I am certain that the best way forward for Montenegro, is to work together with its nearest neighbours on sectors of common interest. Improving transport is one such sector.
In order to improve things for the whole region, clear ground rules have to be drawn up. I understand the complex history of this region means that it can be difficult to put differences aside. Yet if the lives of ordinary people are to improve, investment in transport connections is required. Certainty and stability are preconditions to attract the investment required to bridge the gap between the western Balkans and the rest of Europe.
It is also crucial that money is wisely spent in the region. This means trying to create cross-border corridors and connectivity solutions to serve the entire region.
The EU is ready and willing to support investment in the region and has been doing so for some time. One such example is the EU’s €44.8m investment in improving road marking and traffic sign and signal system in Podgorica and rehabilitation of 5.5km of concrete bridges on the Bar-Vrbnica road section
I am delighted that all the Western Balkan partners have decided to come together and cooperate in order to improve transport links within the region, and with the rest of Europe. The manifestation of this is in the signing of what is known as the Transport Treaty Community, which is happening in Trieste this week. This lays the structure for standardising the transport rules and regulations and their alignment with EU standards, thus allowing greater connectivity and integration with the rest of the European transport network.
Private investors are attracted to regions that show signs of stability and certainty – that is one of the most important aspects of signing this treaty. Improved transport links means the region can export to large markets, attract investment for sectors other than transport and increase tourist activity. In addition, improved links also helps to make daily life a little easier for people.
The task for the Western Balkans is clear, and it is the same task the EU vowed to undertake 60 years ago: to build strong interdependent societies on our continent so that war would never again be an option on the table. To have lasting peace, we have to ensure prosperity.
To have prosperity, we must ensure adequate investment.
I hope that transport can play its part and I am inspired by what I have witnessed in a region so dear to me so far.
