The European Commission (EC) has given its approval for €120.5m and €226.5m to be allocated to railway projects in Albania and Montenegro. This funding is part of a larger €680m investment package aimed at supporting rail and renewable energy initiatives in the Western Balkans.
In Albania, there are plans to reconstruct the 33.5km line between Durrës and Rrogozhinë, with an expected completion date in 2028. The project will involve the implementation of electrification, signalling, and telecommunication systems.
The standard-gauge line is a crucial component of the Pan-European Corridor VIII, connecting southern Italy to the Black Sea. The line was constructed in the late 1940s, yet unfortunately, minimal to no maintenance has been carried out over the past 25 years, resulting in trains being compelled to operate at reduced speeds.
Exciting developments are underway in Montenegro as plans are in motion to enhance the railway between Bar and Golubovci. This line is a crucial railway connection that links the Montenegrin coast with Vrbnica in central Serbia. It holds great significance for Montenegro. The project, slated for completion in 2029, is a crucial component of the initiative to expand the TEN-T Core Network to the Western Balkans.
Both projects are part of the sixth financial package under the European Union’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. This plan involves a significant investment of €16.6bn and has the ultimate goal of facilitating the countries’ accession to the EU.
“While we continue to work together on accession, we need to take decisive actions to bring the Western Balkans closer to our economy,” the EC president, Ms Ursula von der Leyen, explained when the investments were announced. “Together, we are laying the foundations for sustainable growth and closer integration, demonstrating once again our strong commitment to the region’s prosperity and its path towards EU membership.”
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