Press Release: Montenegro has achieved a lot but there remains space for even better results

“Montenegro has achieved a lot in the field of transport within the 16+1 mechanism but there remains space for even better results. We are building a highway; we procured four freight ships; we turned the attention of Chinese businessmen and investors towards Montenegro and towards the business and investment framework we offer, and through this multilateral format we also improved bilateral relations with China and individually with the CEEC countries” stated Minister Nurković. He spoke within the Panel 1 – Political Plans, Infrastructure Projects and Transport Development Vision in the Adriatic Sea region which encompasses Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Montenegro. The theme of this year’s meeting was Intermodality - guarantee for effective transport with a benefit for economy.
16+China Mechanism was officially initiated during the 1st 16+1 Summit of Heads of Governments of the People’s Republic of China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which was held in Warsaw in 2012. One of the measures, the most significant for Montenegro, was the announcement of the Chinese investment fund aimed at infrastructure projects in Central and Eastern Europe and amounting to 10 billion USD. The funds were provided by the Chinese EXIM bank and used on basis of a preferential loan model. Montenegro received funds for two projects: construction of the first section of the Bar-Boljare highway and the procurement of four vessels (two for Barska plovidba and two for Crnogorska plovidba).
Two strategic documents have been adopted thus far on the ministerial level. In Suzhou, the Medium-Term Agenda for Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, and in Riga, the Riga Declaration or the so-called Three Seas Initiative, within which a creation of a network of ports on the Adriatic, Baltic and the Black seas is planned with the aim of increasing connectivity, exchanging goods more efficiently, building business and industrial zones in ports etc. The Montenegrin Port of Bar is recognized as one of the most important points on the road from China to Europe.
Summits of the Heads of Government of the People’s Republic of China and the 16 countries of Central and East Europe are held once a year. Until now, following the first meeting in Warsaw, multiple meetings were held – in Bucharest, Belgrade, Suzhou (China) and in Riga, while the host of this year’s meeting is Budapest.
At the margins of the ministerial part of the Conference in Warsaw, the Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Slovenia Peter Gašparčić. This was an excellent opportunity for a conversation about cooperation possibilities in the transport field and the advancement of connectivity of the Western Balkan countries with Europe and the world. Special emphasis was placed on the exchange of experiences and knowledge within which framework a visit of the Minister Nurković to Slovenia was agreed. During the visit to Slovenia, a visit to the Port of Koper is foreseen, as well as a more detailed conversation on other topics of importance for the two countries.
Minister Nurković used the opportunity to express the need for a joint meeting on the ministerial level between the ministers of Transport of the Western Balkan countries so that they can discuss transport facilitation topic, as well as the overall movement of people, goods and capital with the aim of improving these areas.
This year’s ministerial meeting was also a chance for the Minister Nurković to meet and converse with the ministers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as well as with the Deputy Minister of the Republic of Albania, and the State Secretaries of Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Serbia.

PR Service of the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs