Minister Brajović participates in TEN-T Days

Rotterdam, the Netherlands (21June 2016) – Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs Ivan Brajovic participated in the conference "Days of the Trans-European Transport Network" (TEN-T Days), which was held in Rotterdam on 20 and 21 June, as part of the Dutch presidency of the EU Council.

In introductory speech after the opening of the conference, the European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc stressed the importance of transport for the further development of the single market and improving the competitive position of the European Union. Bulc said that "traffic is meant to be a solution, not a problem of the EU", and that the connectivity agenda will be a priority in the coming period, adding that this attitude reflects not only on the EU, but also on candidate countries. Bulc added that the European Commission will make further efforts in the coming period in order to provide a legal framework that will allow private investors to invest in the transport sector, given that the existing funds are not sufficient for the implementation of all transport projects.

The participants were also addressed by the Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčević, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment Melanie Schultz van Haegen and the President of the European Investment Bank Werner Hoyer.

Bulc announced that the main transport network in the Western Balkans is the basis for defining projects and it determines the direction of coordination of investments in transport. EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn also attended the meeting and emphasised that "connectivity" is central for the European Union.

Minister Brajović emphasised the approach that in addition to physical infrastructure connectivity includes parts of the transport policy for improving or eliminating non-physical barriers, which will contribute to the facilitation of transport of people, goods, services and capital. Commenting on the package of "soft measures" that are built into the conclusions of the Vienna Summit in August 2015, Minister Brajović said that the support that region, including Montenegro, receives is appreciated, as well as the progress achieved through the Berlin Process and connectivity agenda. The Western Balkan countries expressed their readiness and are dedicated to improving regional cooperation and economic stability, which will strengthen political support for the enlargement process. As a good example in the region regarding functioning of cross-border cooperation, the Minister presented the One stop shop approach, which has been established between Montenegro and Albania at the border crossing Sukobin.

"This is the model that we intend to expand to other border crossings, with the aim of facilitating soft measures in the region, which I discussed at the recent informal meeting in Albania with Ministers Edmond Haxhinasto and Lutfi Zharku."

Commissioner for Transport Bulc expressed interest to officially visit Montenegro in October, which is kind of stimulus to the efforts that Montenegro and the whole region are making in order to raise standards, exchange and job creation, through the implementation of investments in the transport sector.