Transport ministers from the Western Balkans, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, as well as the European Commission, gathered at the annual Ministerial Council Meeting of the Transport Community in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 12 December 2023. On the agenda was transportation networks reform, alignment with EU legislation and standards, and the social issues of transport. The meeting showcased a commitment to fostering stronger collaboration and connectivity between the region and the EU.

Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, Magda Kopczyńska: “2024 will be a crucial year for the Transport Community. I urge members to redouble their efforts on reforms and to implement the EU transport acquis. The region can count on the EU’s support as it moves forward.”

Minister of Transport and Communications of North Macedonia, Blagoj Bochvarski: “The Agreement on the establishment of the Transport Community is of essential importance. It helps the Regional Partners of the Western Balkans on their process of accession to the European Union by harmonising domestic legislation with the EU.”

During the meeting, the ministers endorsed the Progress Report of Acquis Transposition and TCT Action Plans while acknowledging that the pace of implementation needs to increase.

The ministers also noted that the new Growth Plan, adopted by the European Commission on 8 November, offers a good opportunity to further strengthen the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. Finally, they observed the continual improvement of regional cooperation, strengthening ties between regional partners, and paving the way for the synchronised implementation of the Trans-European Transport Network.

In the margins of the meeting, the ministers also witnessed the official launch of the Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme, emphasising their commitment to advancing environmentally-friendly and secure transport solutions across the region. With €495 million in investments, the Programme will be instrumental in supporting projects related to road safety improvements, alternative fuel infrastructure, and intelligent transport systems.

More about the event on the Transport Community website

More about the Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme here

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