Montenegro is gradually progressing in improving the railway sector in the process of developing the transport network between the European Union (EU) and the countries of South-Eastern Europe, moderately in implementing measures for roads and slowly in the part concerning water transport.
According to the Transport Community report on progress in implementing the EU action plans and acquis communautaire for 2024, Montenegro is currently 80% complete in road safety, 67% in railways, 64% in traffic facilitation, 55% in roads, 46% in social issues and passenger rights, and only 30% in water transport.
The Transport Community is an international organization that aims to extend the EU's transport market policy rules to the Western Balkan countries, through a legally binding framework, or treaty, in order to develop a transport network. The body monitors the progress and alignment of the Balkan transport markets with the EU system, assists in the implementation of legislation and projects, and does so through six plans concerning railways, traffic facilitation, roads, their safety, water transport, as well as social issues and passenger rights. The Transport Community consists of 36 members, the EU countries, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, along with three observer members, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. It was established in 2017 with the signature of all members. Their report was prepared between October 2023 and the same month in 2024, and is officially the last for the first generation of action plans, which were prepared for the period from 2020 to 2024. Subsequent plans will cover the period from 2025 to 2027.
Road safety is a priority
According to the document, Montenegro is making steady progress towards achieving the goals of the railway action plan, and is currently 67 percent complete. It is noted that progress in this area in the past year has been gradual, with an increase of only two percent.
Montenegro has taken measures to invest in infrastructure safety and align with the EU acquis. In Montenegro, 2023 road deaths were recorded in 78, and the goal is to reduce this number to 2030 by 23.
"Montenegro decided to open its railway market in 2016, but there were no interested companies until 2023. This year, the first private railway operator began operating. Montenegro has completed its institutional framework by granting full independence to the Railway Directorate, and the drafting of a new Railway Law has been completed. We recommend that additional efforts be made to adopt the Railway Law and the Railway Safety Law, publish technical measures for the joint operation of sectoral systems, and complete the construction of 12 tunnels and 13 bridges," the document states.
It is emphasized that Montenegro did not take any action in the field of passenger rights last year, so this part of the railway remained at the level of 33 percent, which it was at in 2023. However, there was progress in the field of modernization of the railway infrastructure, with priority projects for the region itself being highlighted. It is stated that so far ten bridges and four tunnels between Bijelo Polje, Podgorica and Bar have been renovated, while a joint railway station was opened in Bijelo Polje in September last year. The Transport Community expects that this measure will shorten the wait at the border in half, for both passengers and cargo.
In terms of the region, Serbia leads in terms of the implementation of the railway action plan, with 93 percent, followed by Kosovo with 70 percent, followed by Montenegro. North Macedonia is at 62, Bosnia and Herzegovina at 56, and Albania at 51 percent.
According to the report, Montenegro is making moderate progress in implementing the measures for the road action plan, currently at 55 percent. It says that progress in the past year was slow, and that the increase was XNUMX percent. As a positive, it is emphasized that a multi-year contract for the maintenance of the state road network was signed last year, valid for the next four years, and that preparations are underway for the deployment of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) on the roads. This system uses computers, sensors, and other systems to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the transport network, while reducing environmental pollution...
"ITS has already been implemented on the Smokovac-Mateševo highway section at a cost of 25 million euros. For the assessment of investments and specific ITS investments in the network of main and regional roads, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a loan, and the signing of the Loan Agreement is expected in 2025. In the field of road safety, 80 percent of the plan has been achieved, making Montenegro the second regional partner in terms of progress in introducing safety measures from the action plan. Montenegro has taken measures to invest in infrastructure safety and align with the EU acquis. In Montenegro, 2023 traffic deaths were recorded in 78, and the goal is to reduce this number to 2030 by 23," the document states, recommending the adoption of a Medium-Term Program for the Construction, Reconstruction, Maintenance and Protection of State Roads for the next four years.
Common borders are key
It is emphasized that Montenegro has harmonized its legislation with the EU directive on road infrastructure safety management, that it has fulfilled all the requirements regarding the protection of vulnerable groups in traffic, and that it is working on the remediation of 11 traffic black spots. Among the recommendations, the establishment of the Agency for Traffic Safety is highlighted.
It is stated that Montenegro has fulfilled 64 percent of the action plan related to facilitating traffic, and among the recommendations is the continuation of coordination with BiH on the obligations from bilateral agreements on the opening of three joint border crossings, as well as providing money for the project and works on the Šćepan Polje - Hum border. In addition, negotiations with Serbia on the establishment of joint border controls are proposed, the opening of negotiations on a model for joint control at Božaj and Kula, as well as the preparation of documentation for the improvement of the crossing at Debeli Brijeg...
“Montenegro’s alignment with EU legislation on social issues and passenger rights is 46 percent, with particular progress in the railway sector. While alignment with older legislation is high, efforts to align with recent procedures, such as smart tachographs and enhanced passenger rights, need to be accelerated. Full transposition of directives concerning alignment with EU standards on working time and safety has been achieved.”
Among the recommendations are strengthening road inspections and other legislation to ensure compliance with rules on rest periods and driving, adopting the Declaration on Equal Opportunities for Women in Transport and developing initiatives to encourage women to participate in this sector, harmonizing with safety measures for parking lots and rest areas...
Slight progress in the water sector
The report states that Montenegro is making slow progress in implementing the action plan related to water transport and that it has harmonized 30 percent in this field, of which progress last year was only three percent.
It also says that laws are being worked on regarding pollution from ships, ports, navigation safety...
"We recommend completing the preparation of the Law on Ports, finalizing the Law on the Prevention of Pollution from Vessels, completing work on the Law on Inland Navigation, continuing to introduce measures for the implementation of sustainable port operations in the Port of Bar, along with the promotion of alternative fuels as part of the green ports initiative," it says among the recommendations for this action plan.
Compared to the region, Serbia leads in this sector with 56 percent compliance, followed by Montenegro, Albania with 26 percent, Bosnia and Herzegovina with 17 percent, North Macedonia with nine percent, and Kosovo with six percent.
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