How are the various strategies and funds of the European Union for connectivity, transport and energy implemented in Serbia? What do these investments mean for the Western Balkans and what is their potential for economic development? This was the topic of the third debate within the European Talks series. These topics will be in the focus of the connectivity campaign, conducted by the Delegation of the European Union and the Ministry of European Integration. The start of the campaign is expected soon, and this debate was an introduction to the upcoming promotional activities.
The European Union supports connectivity within Serbia, as well as in the countries within the region and member states, according to the Head of the Cooperation department of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ingve Engstrom. Through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, over 2.5 billion euros have been invested, largely in transport and energy projects.
"This has led to the transfer of knowledge and the establishment of common high standards in order to achieve harmonization of procedures, modernization of railways and ensure road safety. The connectivity also refers to the connection in people's daily lives, and other programs such as Erasmus in the field of education, or Horizon 2020 in the field of science and research should be highlighted", Engstrom explained and announced the start of a new campaign to highlight the results of EU action in Serbia in the field of connectivity.
The GeneralSecretariat of the Transport Community is the first EU institution based in Belgrade, opened last September and shows the EU's ambitions to help connect the region. Director Matej Zakonjšek says that among the highest priorities of this institution's activities is the improvement of the railway system.
"It is necessary to recover the existing and build new lines. The railway is one of the greenest modes of transport, and that is why it is very important. The transport community is also focused on road safety. The number of victims is much higher than in the EU, and we want that to change, so that there are no casualties. Facilitating transport and crossing the border is also at the top of our priorities. The wait at the borders is too long. And finally - the road network itself - roads that are resistant to climatic situations. I also include waterways, which in Serbia primarily imply the navigability of the Danube and the Sava", Zakonjšek pointed out.
The importance of connecting neighboring markets, industrial centers and river and sea ports was especially emphasized by Zvonko Tufegdzic, director of the Regional Chamberof Commerce for the Moravica and Raska administrative districts.
"Reconstruction of the railway lines to Shkodra and Athens would revive not only Kraljevo, but all 5 districts that gravitate towards this hub. The economic-investment plan envisages the renewal of the railway that would connect Belgrade and Pristina, and that would revive the railway junction in Kraljevo. The benefits are great for us, but also for the EU. The biggest benefit will be for the metal and car industry, whose products and raw materials are large, but tourism and ordinary citizens will also benefit greatly", Tufegdzic emphasized.
When we talk about energy, the need for decarbonisation and efficiency is emphasized, but also the financial challenges of that process. Aleksandar Kovacevic, a senior visiting associate at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, stressed that new taxes and duties would be introduced in the EU to support green policies. As an example, he cited the tax on carbon dioxide emissions, ie on products from countries that have a high level of CO2 emissions.
"It is very serious for Serbia, because we are economically tied to the EU and we emit carbon dioxide in large quantities. Urgent decarbonisation is necessary", Kovacevic added.
Gligo Vukovic, the project manager for energy sector in the EU Delegation, agrees with him.
"In the past, the focus was on the revitalization of existing plants and sustainability, i.e. supply stability. However, the focus now is on energy efficiency and renewables, and that is part of the process of decarbonising Serbia. It must be gradual, but it is also inevitable. Connection projects serve for green transition, connectivity in the region and competitiveness. There will be investments in wind generators in Vojvodina, and these projects will enable energy to be transferred from that region to other regions", Vukovic explained.
The debate was organized by the European Movement in Serbia (EMinS) with the support of theDelegation of the European Union to Serbia within the series "European Talks 2.0". Talks with experts in various fields were organized with the aim of bringing the citizens closer to the topics related to the relations between the EU and Serbia and European integration.