Montenegro and Serbia willing to strengthen infrastructure cooperation

Belgrade, Serbia (18 December 2014) -- – On the sidelines of the Belgrade’s 3rd meeting of heads of governments of China and Central and East Europe countries, Montenegro’s Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs Ivan Brajović met Wednesday with his Serbian counterpart Zorana Mihajlović.

Construction of the Bar - Boljare – Beograd highway is crucial for Montenegro’s overall development and its linking with the region and EU, Minister Brajović underlined, adding the construction of its priority section Smokavac – Mateševo means the beginning of the implementation of the entire project.

Minister Mihajlović highlighted the importance of the corridor for Serbia, adding it has already begun preparations for the construction of the Ljig – Obrenovac section. Two Chinese companies are interested in constructing this part of the highway though Serbia and models for the implementation of the project are expected to be defined soon, she pointed out.
The two officials underlined the significance of further investments in the railway infrastructure, having in mind that the current situation with the Bar – Belgrade railway is unsustainable in terms of time needed for crossing this part of the railway. Regarding the fact that 40% of the railway has already been reconstructed on the Montenegrin territory, Minister Mihajlović highlighted that Serbia will activate the loans provided by Russia to reconstruct the other part of the railway on the Serbian soil.

The meeting also emphasised the need to enhance inspection authorities’ surveillance over the road transport in order to suppress illegal transport between the two states. It also discussed boosting cooperation in air transport with a particular emphasis on the work of the Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Service (SMATSA) based on the two states’ joint ownership. The company has been recognised globally as one of the best providers of the air navigation services due to its extraordinary results, the two ministers underlined.

The two officials also discussed the possibility of providing incentives for Montenegro Airlines at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla airport, given the fact that the company annually carries over 200 000 passengers on the routes Podgorica – Belgrade and Tivat – Belgrade.

The cooperation between the two governments and their ministries is very good, but there is room for the continuation of intensive cooperation in a wide range of issues related to infrastructural development of both countries, yesterday’s meeting in Belgrade concluded.