Regional connectivity is the key to transport network development

Deputy Prime Minister for Regional Development and Minister of Capital Investments Ervin Ibrahimović met with European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean in Lyon, France.

During the meeting, special emphasis was placed on the supply chain disruption between Asia and Europe, caused by the war in Ukraine.

Montenegro has a competitive position and strategically important corridors that represent an alternative to current supply chains, especially if we take into account the position of the Port of Bar, which is connected to Belgrade and Budapest by rail, while the construction of the Bar - Boljare motorway is another significant connection between the Port of Bar and these two destinations. It is very important for us that the European Commission provides support to Montenegro in the development of transport infrastructure within the expansion of the trans-European transport network, Ibrahimović said, emphasising that the continuation of works on the motorway is very important for increasing Montenegro's competitiveness on the regional and European transport market. He added that he believes that this corridor is of strategic importance for the EU.

European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean agreed that it is very important to work on finding alternative supply chain flows and showed interest in continuing communication on models of support that the European Commission could provide to Montenegro in the development of key transport infrastructure projects, especially those of strategic importance for the development of the European transport network.

During his participation in the ministerial meeting "Connecting Europe Days 2022", DPM Ibrahimović will also meet other colleagues from the region and speak at a panel discussion on the development of new transport corridors, regional transport connectivity and links to the EU market, decarbonisation policy and transport network development in the Western Balkans.