Serbia and Montenegro are set to jointly approach the European Commission (EC) to secure financial backing for the reconstruction of the Belgrade – Bar railway, with the aim of prioritizing this project due to its significance for regional connectivity, announced Goran Vesić, Serbia’s Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure.
In a recent signing ceremony in Belgrade with Montenegro’s Transport Minister Maja Vukićević, Vesić highlighted their shared commitment to elevating the railway project on the EC’s funding agenda. He expressed confidence that the EC will recognize the project’s importance within the Western Balkans Growth Plan. “We have completed part of the reconstruction, from Resnik to Valjevo, and now need to reconstruct the remaining 210 kilometers from Valjevo to Vrbnica in Serbia. Montenegro must also rebuild 160 kilometers of its section. The estimated cost for the Serbian part is between 1.5 and 2 billion euros, pending the outcome of the tender. The situation in Montenegro will be assessed separately. Our goal is to ensure this project is prioritized by the EC,” Vesić told TV Happy.
He emphasized that the Belgrade – Bar railway is one of the most crucial and challenging railways in Europe, noting that it features Europe’s highest railway bridge.
Vesić also expressed gratitude towards Montenegrin Vice-President Milun Zogović and Transport Minister Maja Vukićević for their support, including their stance against Kosovo’s Council of Europe membership despite significant pressure. He announced their mutual agreement to seek EC funding for the railway’s reconstruction.
In parallel, Serbia and North Macedonia are pursuing EU funds for the reconstruction of the Brestovac – Skopje railway, while Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are collaborating on the Belgrade – Sarajevo railway project.
“Strengthening regional cooperation and connecting with our neighbors is a priority,” Vesić stressed.
Regarding road infrastructure, Vesić noted that Serbia is on track to complete the section of the ‘Miloš Veliki’ highway to Požega by June 1, after which construction will commence on a 108-kilometer road from Požega to Duga Poljana. He mentioned that Montenegro is also working on extending its highway, and the two countries will collaborate to find a construction partner for the remaining sections.
Vesić welcomed Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić’s focus on road infrastructure, affirming full agreement between the governments on the importance of traffic connectivity. “Once the highway is completed, travel to Podgorica will take less than four hours on a safe, three-lane road,” Vesić concluded.
