BE-BB signs in Tirana a grant of 54 million euros for the development of transport in the Western Balkans

The signing ceremony of the grant agreement provided by the World Bank and the European Union for the safe and sustainable transport program, administered by the WB, took place in Tirana.

The grant was signed within the framework of the summit “Growth Plan – Our Path to the EU,” held in the Albanian capital.

At the ceremony, Valentina Superti, the director for the Western Balkans at the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy at the European Commission, emphasized that the fund of 54 million euros will contribute to improving road and rail safety, increasing technical capacities, digitizing systems, and expanding lanes.

This grant adds to previous funding, bringing the total EU support to 134 million euros since 2023.

“This fund demonstrates the importance that the European Union attaches to this program and will facilitate traffic at border points, promoting regional trade,” said the representative of the European Commission.

Xiaoqing Yu, the World Bank director for the Western Balkans, expressed optimism for cooperation with the EU and emphasized that this new grant is a sign of commitment to the development of transport in the Western Balkans.

According to her, this is just the first initiative, while other projects are planned for improving infrastructure and regional transport capacities.

The Transport Facilitation Program 2 is a concrete example of support for the region and its integration into the EU, aiming for a safer, digital, and more efficient transport network for the entire Western Balkans.

The summit “Growth Plan – Our Path to the EU,” held in Tirana, brought together leaders from the Western Balkans and high-ranking officials from the European Union. Discussions were held at the summit on ways to accelerate the implementation of the EU Growth Plan and how this process can turn into a success story for the citizens of the Western Balkans. (November 25)