Serbia to invest €6B in modernization of railways

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Serbia plans to invest €6 billion (around $7 billion) in railway projects for the modernization of its railway traffic, said the prime minister on Monday.

Ana Brnabic said they are planning to connect the modern railway with the countries of the region and the European Union.

"The most important projects are the high-speed railway Belgrade-Budapest, in which €2 billion are invested, and the railway Corridor 10, in which, with the support of the EU, the European Development Bank, and the investment fund for the Western Balkans, (another) €2 billion will be invested," Brnabic said at a news conference at the Belgrade Center railway station.

Brnabic added that Serbia will invest €6 billion in projects, and the country is now developing project documentation with the help of the EU.

"Railway transport is, in addition to water, the most important mode of transport, and we have invested more than €600 million since 2014," Brnabic said.

Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tomislav Momirovic said the policy of Serbia is the "Open Balkans" initiative and borders without barriers so the economy and people move smoothly and freely.

"The railways are imposing themselves as the transport system of the future. Only railways can provide mobility, climate neutrality, energy efficiency, and safety, and that is why we must make our railway companies much more efficient," said Momirovic.

As the international train Connecting Europe Express has arrived at the Belgrade Center railway station, the Western Balkans Rail Summit 2021 is set to be held in Belgrade on Monday.