Brussels: Minister Nurković initials Treaty establishing Transport Community in Western Balkans

Brussels, Belgium (10 February 2017) – Montenegrin delegation, led by Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs Osman Nurković, participated on 10 February 2017 in Brussels in a meeting on the occasion of the initialing the final draft treaty establishing a Transport Community in the Western Balkans. On behalf of Montenegro, the Treaty was initialed by Minister Nurković, and on behalf of the European Commission by Maja Bakran, Deputy Director General of the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport.

Minister Nurković expressed his gratitude for making an effort to prepare the Treaty and pointed out that its implementation will contribute to the further development of transport infrastructure in the region, which is the basic precondition for further economic growth and development of the entire region. He particularly emphasised that the EU must make further efforts to help the region to become part of Europe.

The Treaty promotes the creation of a Transport Community in the field of road and rail transport on inland waterways and maritime transport, as well as the development of the transport network between the European Union and the contracting parties of Southeast Europe. The Treaty should raise the cooperation in the field of transport to a higher level, with a significant commitment of the contracting countries, expanding aspect of the action to environmental protection, social dialogue and public procurement, which correlate with the sector of transport. The aim of the Treaty is to develop sustainable transport, to quicker reach standards and open markets as set out in the Trans-European Transport Network, i.e. transport network of the European Union.

The Treaty has an additional significance for Montenegro from the aspect of opened chapters in the field of transport: 14-Transport policy and 21-Trans-European networks, because it represents an additional platform that provides support in the process of harmonisation with the EU acquis, as well as better preparation for obligations that await us on the day of Montenegro's accession to the EU.

Albania also initialed the Treaty today, and by March it is expected that other Western Balkan countries do the same.

Matej Zakonjšek, Head of Cabinet of Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc, expressed optimism that the signing of this Treaty will bring benefits to the region of the Western Balkans, as well as to bring it closer to the European Union.