Western Balkans
In 2014 the political leaders of the Western Balkan countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.), Montenegro and Serbia met for the first time under the term Western Balkans Six (WB6) in Berlin. The aim is to bring a new dynamism to regional cooperation. One of the main aims is building and connecting transport and energy infrastructure as a driver for growth and jobs.
This "connectivity agenda" to improve the links within the Western Balkans and with the EU has been endorsed and supported by the EU from the start. In the context of the WB6 an indicative extension of the Trans-European Transport network (TEN-T) including core network, core network corridors and pre-identified priority projects for infrastructure investment has been defined. Extending the TEN-T core network corridors to the Western Balkans ensures closer integration with the EU as well as the basis for leveraging investment in infrastructure, such as EU support through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
Improving connectivity within the Western Balkans, as well as between the Western Balkans and the European Union, is a key factor for growth and jobs and will bring clear benefits for the region’s economies and citizens. However, it is not only infrastructure that will enhance connectivity. Similarly important is the implementation of technical standards and soft measures such as aligning and simplifying border crossing procedures, railway reforms, information systems, road safety and maintenance schemes, railway unbundling and third party access.
Policy and other related documents
Western Balkan 6 Summit Vienna 2015 Conclusions
Western Balkan 6 Summit Vienna 2015 Addendum "Western Balkan"
Western Balkan 6 Summit Vienna 2015 Info-Pack "Connectivity Western Balkan"
Factsheets
2017 Signature of a Transport Community Treaty with Western Balkans
EU financial support in Western Balkans – transport projects
Links
indicative extension of the TEN-T in the Western Balkans
Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF)
Trans-European Transport network (TEN-T)