SEETO Transport Infrastructure Forum |
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Sarajevo March 22nd Due to the Tragic Events which happened in Brussels- Belgium, more than hundred participants paid a tribute to victims with one-minute silence. One of the major Regional Forums organized by SEETO, “Transport Infrastructure Forum”, has taken place in beautiful City of Sarajevo, organized by SEETO and hosted by Ministry of Communication and Transport, Bosnia & Hercegovina. The main aim of the forum was to build on the conclusions derived from Berlin and Vienna Summit, and commitments made by high level SEETO Regional Participants officials to accomplish regional, national and European objectives. SEETO Transport Infrastructure Forum, provided an opportunity to take further steps in exchanging information and tools on moving forward towards the implementation of infrastructure projects and soft measures and to improvement of regional cooperation and regional transport planning. The Forum explored the current efforts in the Region focusing in improving the connectivity, transport systems, through the support of European Commission`s financial instruments, IFI funding and growing bilateral loans in the Western Balkan region. Welcoming remarks and opening speeches addressed to the participants were held from: Mr. Dejan Lasica- SEETO General Manager, Miss. Claire Bodonyi- Ambassador French Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Lars-Gunnar Wigemark- EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr.Sasa Delipagic- Deputy Minister Bosnia and Hercegovina. Forum on itself had four sessions, which elaborated the future planned projects, challenges, success stories, needs in Western Balkan Infrastructure, which will enhance further the joint efforts towards the development of the Transport Infrastructure as one of the main economic growth pillars Western Balkan region in last decade, has shown continues interest, willingness and practices for further development of its Core and Comprehensive network connected to EU Corridors in order to become consistent part of the EU transport network, such initiatives and billion euro investments has shown that Western Balkan Infrastructure investments will enhance and enable better connectivity as well as mobility with/within TEN-T (Trans European Transport Network). SEETO Transport Infrastructure Forum presented topics related to the Western Balkan transport infrastructure needs and supported regional cooperation in infrastructure planning. Furthermore, it provided an opportunity for regional Ministries of Transport and transports agencies to share and gain the experience and challenges that regional project have faced such as financial, implementation efficiency and effectiveness and many other interesting facts. During SEETO Transport Infrastructure Forum, representatives from Western Balkan countries, International Financial Institutions, EC, High ranked EU officials, experts, and many construction and consulting companies joined their ideas, forces and know how, on moving forward towards further development of Western Balkan Transport Infrastructure. Transport Forum has strengthened coordination and communication levels between all transport infrastructure institutions, officials and various actors, Transport Infrastructure Forum, ones again brought in to the light the Regional, EU and IFI-s needs, and also helped on identification on actual and potential future gaps among all transport infrastructure community. Forum Conclusions, news coverage and presentations can be found on links given hereunder: http://www.seetoint.org/1st-seeto-transport-infrastructure-forum-transport-a-driver-of-growth/ http://balkans.aljazeera.net/vijesti/bih-bi-mogla-ostati-bez-fondova-eu http://www.seetoint.org/library/meetings/workshops-conferences/ |
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Regional and EU Upcoming Events |
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| | SEETO – 48TH Steering Committee Meeting held in Sarajevo March 23rd – Sarajevo, 48th SEETO Steering committee held in Sarajevo, Hotel Bristol. Meeting participated all SEETO SC members including representative from DG NEAR and guest from EU office in Bosnia and Hercegovina. Meeting was opened from SC Chairlady Miss. Tatjana Jovanović, followed by Mr. Dejan Lasica SEETO Secretariat General Manager. Miss. Jovanovic informed regional representatives on newly appointed SC member from Kosovo* (Mr. Gjynejt Mustafa) as well as shared other important information with regional participants. Among many topics and reports discussed during SC meeting, topic on Soft measures monitoring and reporting and preparations before Paris Summit were presented and discussed by SEETO Secretariat and Regional representatives. |
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| Second TFWG – Transport Facilitation Working Group meeting, discussing the implementation of Soft Measures and challenges in Brussels On 16th of March Transport Facilitation working Group members joined for a second time with EC-European Commission representatives to discuss the concreate soft actions/measures that have been or started the implementation and foreseen challenges ahead. The TFWG involvement and deliverables of each regional group members will enable better use of the transport infrastructure which are embedded in the list of soft measures, adopted at the WB 6 Summit. The meeting gathered participants/representatives from all WB countries from various institutions such as (Transport Ministries/Trade Ministries/Custom Authorities/Border Police/Chambers of Commerce) high EC representatives from DG MOVE and DG Near, CEFTA as well as SEETO secretariat representatives (General Manager of SEETO Mr. Dejan Lasica, Miss Nerejda Hoxha Transport Planning Manager, Mr. Nedim Begovic Transport Planning Manager and Mr. Mate Gjorgjievski Transport Law and Policy Expert) The aim of this is to monitor and guide the work for implementation of the policy ("soft") measures defined and agreed at the Western Balkan Summit of August 2015. The TFWG will take stock of implementation so far and assign implementation tasks to the various public bodies invited from the Western Balkan Countries. Meeting chaired by Mr Alain Baron DG MOVE, who welcomed the participants with an opening speech, followed by Mr. Kjartan Bjornsson DG NEAR. Topics discussed at TFWG meeting included the monitoring processes of Soft Measures, Preparations for Paris Summit, commitments from the WB countries on the soft connectivity agenda, stock taking on the implementation of soft measures. SEETO Secretariat will regularly follow the progress of the implementation of these measures and will accordingly report to the European Commission. |
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| EBRD to allocate 300 million EUR for the highway construction in Bosnia and Herzegovina February 26th- Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) Mr. Denis Zvizdic held a press conference yesterday presenting the details of the meetings held in London at an investment conference of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Mr. Zvizdic emphasized his satisfaction with the conference, where he agreed the financing of the construction of the highway with the EBRD in the amount of 300 million EUR. Key two fields that were topics at the investment conference in London were the investment in transport and communications and energy sector.... |
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| RCC – Regional cooperation council Second meeting on donor coordination in the Western Balkans ends in Sarajevo March 23rd - SEETO representative Mr. Mate Gjorgjievksi attended the second meeting on Donor Coordination in the Western Balkans, organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), which took place today in Sarajevo. The meeting brought together all the major donors who are active in the Western Balkans as well as representatives of international organisations and Western Balkan governments. The main goal of today’s meeting was to look at recent developments in South East Europe and the impact they might have on donor priorities. Information exchange and tools for better coordination were also in focus as well as priorities within RCC’s SEE2020 Strategy and its three flagships.... |
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| EU and Kosovo discuss Transport, Environment, Energy, Climate and Regional Development The European Commission and the Kosovo government held their annual meeting to discuss Transport, Environment, Energy, Climate and Regional Development in Brussels on February 25th, 2016. The discussions took place within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process Dialogue (SAPD). The latest legislative and policy developments in the area of transport were also discussed. The Commission underlined the need to continue the development of projects to help establish the core network for the Western Balkans. .. |
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| WB6 - Balkan Leaders Discuss Energy, Transport at Summit February 22nd- Transport links and energy projects were high on the agenda as Balkan premiers met at an investment summit in London organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Western Balkans Investment Summit in London on Monday brought together the prime ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia with investors to discuss the development of transport links, energy projects and privatization. "We are encouraged by the fact that all of the region’s economies grew last year. And our economists expect growth to rise further in most Western Balkans countries in 2016, albeit still at levels below their potential," said the EBRD’s president, Suma Chakrabarti. |
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| 7th meeting of the Orient/East-Med Core Network Corridor Forum- Brussels On March 14-15th in Brussels SEETO participated at the following Core Corridor forums: 7th meeting of the Orient / East-Med Core Network Corridor Forum-The meeting was opened by Mr. Mathieu Grosch, Core Corridor Coordinator. It was attended by all countries along the OEM Corridor and for the first time invitations were extended to representatives of countries of the Western Balkans, as well as a representative from the SEETO Secretariat. An innovative list of projects for all the countries along the corridor was presented. Special attention was given to activities related to the WB6 transport network. The importance of SEETO involvement and cooperation was emphasized and further steps in cooperation were agreed upon. Countries of the EU were interested in the criteria regarding the WB network, which was defined as the Indicative extensions of Ten-T Core Network to Western Balkans, in June and August of last year. 7-th meeting of the Mediterranean Core Network Corridor Forum- The meeting was opened by Mr. Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, Coordinator for the Mediterranean Corridor. The meeting was attended by the countries along the Mediterranean Corridor and for the first time, due to the coordinators' duties being extended to following the activities of the WB6 Network, representatives from the Western Balkans countries were also invited. A list of projects per each country along the corridor was presented, with special attention being given to activities in the Western Balkans. SEETO was presented as a reliable partner, one to be counted on, in the upcoming activities related to the WB6 Network. 7-th meeting of the Rhine Danube Core Network Corridor Forum-The meeting was opened by Ms Karla Peijs, Core Coordinator. She emphasized that the network of corridors was not broadened, but that the responsibilities of the coordinators were, thus along with Dunav, making the rivers Sava and Tisa additional points of interest. A list of projects in regards to the countries, as well as the modes of transport was presented. The importance of co-operating with SEETO was highlighted, regarding SEETO as a source of information. as well as a source for obtaining expert opinions and input. |
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| Serbia active in infrastructure projects in region February 23rd- Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Ms Zorana Mihajlovic talked in London with European Commissioner for Transport Ms Violeta Bulc about the possibilities and importance of the regional transport connections. Ms Mihajlovic and Ms Bulc met on the sidelines of the Western Balkans Investment Fair organised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London, which brought together the prime ministers of the Western Balkans, ministers and leading businessmen.... |
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| SEETO in OECD High level conference on Competitiveness for Growth in South east Europe SEETO General Manager Mr. Lasica and Mr. Gjorgjievski, a Transport Law and Policy Expert, participated at the OECD Conference held in Paris on February 26th, 2016. This event built on the work of the OECD South East Europe Regional Program and created an opportunity to further strengthen the relations between the countries of the SEE region and the OECD and support a broader, high-level debate on factors of competitiveness for growth in the region. The main objective was to launch the OECD flagship publication Competitiveness in South East Europe which can be downloaded from read more link below. |
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| Air Serbia is considering resuming flights to Ohrid, FYR Macedonia February 25th - Air Serbia is considering resuming flights to Ohrid. The Mayor of Ohrid, Mr. Nikola Bakračeski, has confirmed he will hold talks with the airline's management yesterday, while a delegation from Ohrid Airport visited the Air Serbia stand at the International Tourism Fair in Belgrade last week, where it held talks with officials from the carrier. As EX-YU Aviation News learns, last month the airline filed for slots at Ohrid Airport. Air Serbia's predecessor, Jat Airways, last operated services to Ohrid on a seasonal summer basis in 2013. Flights catered to a significant number of transfer passengers, as well as Serbian tourists. |
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| Joint Technical Secretariat office for the two bilateral Cross-Border programmes - Montenegro - Albania and Montenegro – Kosovo* opened in Podgorica PODGORICA, February 3rd, 2016 – For the first time, Montenegro hosts the Joint Technical Secretariat for two Cross Border Cooperation Programmes: Montenegro-Albania and Montenegro – Kosovo* on its own territory, and at the same time, Montenegro will be the Contracting Authority for both Programmes. Great responsibility, but feasible for Montenegro, stated the Head of EU Delegation to Montenegro, Ambassador Mitja Drobnic at the opening ceremony. The office we are inaugurating today is a new space tailored to meet the increasing demands and expectations of the new IPA II period. The common Joint Technical Secretariat will provide information and technical support to potential and contracted project partners, prepare and support the implementation of calls for proposals, facilitate the monitoring and administration of Cross-Border projects and support the communication and dissemination of the results achieved and lessons learnt- stated Ambassador Drobnic. Cross-border cooperation programmes between Western Balkan countries were initiated for the first time in 2007 under the EU Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). Since then, Montenegro managed five bilateral CBC programmes – besides several transnational Cross-Border programmes. Undoubtedly with the highest success possible, concluded the EU Ambassador to Montenegro. |
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| World Bank will help the economy of Kosovo- February February 29th - The vice president of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Cyril Muller has congratulated the government of Kosovo for approving the national strategy for development 2016-2021. Mr. Muller said that this important document will give way to cooperation between Kosovo and the World Bank in important capital projects. “The World Bank will be a partner and will help Kosovo to attain its goals in important economic processes”, Mr. Muller said in a meeting with representatives of the government of Kosovo in Pristina. |
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| Albanian borders have not been affected by the refugee crisis March 2nd- While neighboring countries such as Greece and FYR Macedonia are facing a large wave of refugees and their growing numbers are expected to cause more concern, Albania seems not to be affected by this phenomenon. Recently there have been reports for attempts by illegal refugees who through Albania aim at crossing to Montenegro and then to different European countries. |
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| Time for action: Transport Infrastructure and Environment Climate change/floods can have a direct impact on the performance of our transportation infrastructure, are we taking necessary steps to re-invent or prevent future flood risks in transport infrastructure. Between 13th and 18th of May 2014, a low-pressure cyclone designated Tamara and Yvette affected a large area of South-eastern and Central Europe, causing floods and landslides. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia suffered the greatest damage, as the rain was the heaviest in 120 years of recorded weather measurements. By May 20th, at least 62 people had died as a result of the flooding, and hundreds of thousands had been forced from their homes. |
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| Montenegro and Bosnia plan joint embassies February 22nd- The governments of Montenegro and Bosnia are to sign an agreement to establish joint embassies on the so called “Nordic” model. Under the agreement, which BIRN has seen, the new arrangements will contribute to cost-effectiveness and improved efficiency in the work of diplomatic and consular offices. "The governments of the two countries will jointly use facilities in third countries for the accommodation of their diplomatic and consular stuff, and also for providing funds and services abroad”, the agreement reads.... |
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| Election news in the Western Balkan Region Early parliamentary elections will be held in Macedonia on 5 June 2016, having originally been planned for April 24th. Parliamentary elections were originally due to be held in Serbia by March 2018 However, on January 17th, 2016, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić called for a snap election claiming Serbia “needs four more years of stability so that it is ready to join the European Union”. The election is expected to take place on April 24th, 2016 Parliamentary elections will be held in Montenegro on or before October 21st, 2016. |
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Dear SEETO Readers, Partners, Followers, Colleagues, Counterparts, In order to keep you updated with the latest changes and developments, SEETO Secretariat is focused on continues improvement by offering the best quality reports, information, analyses as well as a variety of regional, EU and world news through our communication channels. The SEETO Secretariat would like to encourage and promote the work of all those who are interested to publish topics, articles, analyses related to the Transport and Infrastructure field or any other field that might have an impact on Transport Infrastructure. SEETO Secretariat does not take credit or responsibility for articles taken from other news media sources. |
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