As part of the ninth call for investment co-financing for the implementation of infrastructure projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, Montenegro submitted one project application by the Ministry of Capital Investments, namely: Montenegro – Serbia R4 railway connection, section Bar – Vrbnica for the reconstruction of the section Bar – Golubovci (including Ratac landslide and Sozina tunnel).
– As emphasized in the discussion, the realization of such an important project will result in a general increase in the speed of traffic in transit, will improve the level of services and facilitate the flow of international trade and passenger transport. It was also emphasized that the project was included in the Unified list of priority infrastructure projects. After its completion, the railway will have a positive impact on commercial and trade activities in the region and will contribute regional development and cohesion in the wider area of the Balkans – emphasized in the government announcement.
The total value of the project amounts to EUR 246.5 million, while grants in the amount of EUR 115 million are requested through the investment grant.
The main goal of the project is to create a transport system in Montenegro that will be compatible with the transport system of the European Union, with a tendency towards further modernization, so that Montenegro will be ready to comply with European Union standards related to transport.
– Route 4 is a connection with Corridor X, one of the most important Trans-European traffic corridors passing through Serbia and connecting Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece – it was clarified.
After submitting the projects, there is an evaluation conducted by the European Commission in cooperation with international financial institutions, and the final decision on the projects that will be financed depends on the availability of EU funds and the number of projects submitted by other countries of the Western Balkans.