The Minister of Transport participated in a ministerial meeting focused on improved multimodal connectivity aimed at greening transportation in the Danube region.
The meeting served as a platform for open discussions about various planned, ongoing, and recently completed transport projects within the region, all aimed at enhancing mobility, connectivity, and accessibility, which have been identified as priorities by the participating countries. The importance of transport in facilitating international partnerships, trade, and tourism was emphasized, despite the complexities arising from different transport modalities and the developmental gaps among the countries involved.
The Minister highlighted key priorities in the EU and national transport agendas, including road maintenance, road safety, integration of rail freight transport, and improved air connectivity. All transport modes face common challenges related to energy efficiency and emissions, requiring comprehensive responses at local, regional, and global levels.
Regarding specific projects, she outlined several key initiatives: the construction of the Bar-Boljare highway, the Mateševo-Andrijevica segment and the Adriatic-Ionian highway project, all currently in the technical documentation preparation phase. Additionally, significant funding has been secured for the rehabilitation of the Bar-Vrbnica railway, paving the way for continued reconstruction efforts.
Montenegro has obtained a grant of €112.4 million from the Western Balkan Investment Framework for the reconstruction of the Bar-Golubovci section, which covers 50% of the total investment cost, with remaining funds to be secured through loan agreements with the EBRD and EIB. The Minister also noted investments for the rehabilitation of railway infrastructure, including steel bridges and tunnels, and the modernization of maintenance facilities.
Moreover, in June, a contract was signed for the procurement of new electric multiple units for domestic transport, valued at €30 million, aligning with EBRD procedures. A joint station in Bijelo Polje was also inaugurated to streamline border crossing times for trains between Montenegro and Serbia.
The Minister stressed that railway upgrades are just one part of modernization, emphasizing the need for intelligent transport systems (ITS) development. She advocated for collaborative efforts between Montenegro and Serbia in securing financial support for the enhancement of the entire railway network, noting that without adequate investment in infrastructure projects, further cooperation with neighboring countries and EU member states would be challenging.
