“The Western Balkans is in a very specific position, which promises great potential if some of the problems I mentioned are addressed,” said Matej Zakonjšek, director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community.
As he pointed out, the region has transport potential, and the goal of the Transport Community is to show that potential to the world.
In the interview with Zakonjšek, we will talk about the problems facing the Western Balkans, but also about their solutions. We will explore the significant role of this organization in the development of the transport sector on the Balkan Peninsula, with special emphasis on Serbia. We will also talk about how the Transport Community supports the development of infrastructure and logistics links between the Western Balkans and the EU, with an emphasis on concrete projects and investments aimed at this goal.
In addition, the director assessed the current state of the transport and logistics industry in the Western Balkans, providing valuable insight into the challenges and perspectives of this sector in the region.
What is the role of the Transport Community and what is its contribution to the development of the transport sector in Serbia?
The Transport Community is an international organization made up of 33 partners, i.e. 27 EU member states, represented by the European Commission, and six regional partners from the Western Balkans. Additionally, since November last year, we have three observers – Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
The goal of the organization is quite simple, but also very challenging to achieve. It is the complete integration of the transport market of the Western Balkans into the European Union. This integration means that once all partners here meet all EU standards and also complete projects that connect the region and beyond, there will be no difference how transport is organized in the Western Balkans or, for example, in Sweden, Slovenia and the like.
How do you assess the current state of the transport and logistics industry in the Western Balkans?
To begin with, the region is in a very specific position that promises great potential if some of the issues I mentioned are addressed. In particular, the modernization of railways, but also ports, as well as border crossings.
What do I want to say? The position of the region is such – it not only connects the north with the south of Europe, but it is also the shortest connection between the Middle East and Asia with Europe. Once ships pass through the Suez Canal, they can either go through Gibraltar and travel up to two weeks to northern Europe. The goods would then be put on trains and go to other regions of Europe. Or, they can reach a port in the Western Balkans, where the goods would be put on trains and taken further to those same regions, which would greatly shorten the transport time. That is why the Western Balkans is in an interesting position, because it is in the middle of the EU.
How do you see the future of transport and logistics in the Western Balkans?
I am optimistic if everything I mentioned above comes true. The key is to make all the transit options, the entire network, work as one.
