1 hour less between Sarajevo and Zagreb

2 hours less between Belgrade and Sofia

1 hour less between Pristina and Skopje

Well connected transport and energy networks, both within the region and with the neighbouring EU Member States, are crucial for sustainable economic growth in the Western Balkans and beyond. Fast and secure digital connection of high quality is also a prerequisite for a modern economy and society.

In 2015 the European Union launched the Connectivity Agenda to continue reinforcing the economic development of the Western Balkans by improving key transport and energy connections.

Modernise over 300 km of railway tracks. 3 million people living along these routes will benefit from faster and safer connections.

Ensure continuous and competitive energy supply for the people and businesses in the region.

Improve trade in goods and services within the Western Balkans through the Regional Economic Area.

Increase high speed broadband coverage through large-scale investments focused on penetration rate, rural-urban divide and connecting schools, governments and health institutions.

CONNECTIVITY AGENDA

from EU pre-accession funds(until 2020)

€1BILLIONThat will leverage additional:

EXPECTED RESULTS

Shortened travel times

€4 billionin investments

45,000 jobsin the region

€190 millionin EU grantsfor connectivity projects

€30 millionin Technical Assistance for preparing digital projects

TOTAL EU GRANTS€220 MILLION2018

CONNECTIVITY PACKAGE

And create:

EU-WESTERN BALKANSBOOSTING CONNECTIVITYMay 2018

USING EU GRANTS THROUGH THE WESTERN BALKANS INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK TO BOOST INVESTMENTS 2015- 2017

EU Grants / Investments Leveraged €Million

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

2015 2016 2017 2018 TOTAL

211.4

640.7

98.5208.3 198.1

530.9

109.2

1034.5 698.2

2414.4

EU Grants / Sector & Year €Million

EU Grant Investment Value

Transport Energy

EU Grants / Investments Leveraged by country €Million EU Grant Investment Value

21478.2

Albania

399.2101.7

Montenegro

661.4120.2

Bosnia and Herzegovina

546.1231.6

Serbia

273.661.3

Kosovo

320.1105.2

the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

2015 2016 2017 2018 TOTAL

152.6

600

500

400

300

200

100

098.5 148.5

598.858.8 49.6

108.4

190.2

PROJECT EXAMPLES

For more information visit: ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/connectivity-agenda-2018-sofia-summit.pdf

ORIENT/EAST-MED CORRIDOR: MONTENEGRO - SERBIA R4 RAIL INTERCONNECTION, BAR-VRBINICA SECTION

The investment project will rehabilitate four steel bridges as well as 20 km of railway track on the Bar-Vrbnica railway route which connects Montenegro with Serbia.

Estimated total investment: €40 millionEU contribution: €13.7 million

MEDITERRANEAN CORRIDOR: BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – CROATIA CVS ROAD INTERCONNECTION, BUNA- POČITELJ SUBSECTION

This investment project will build approximately 7.2 km of new motorway on a subsection of the Mediterranean Core Network (Corridor Vc) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Estimated total investment: €44.6 millionEU contribution: €9 million

ORIENT/EAST-MED CORRIDOR: THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA - BULGARIA CVIII ROAD INTERCONNECTION, KRIVA PALANKA-DEVE BAIR SECTION

The investment project will rehabilitate and reconstruct a 13.2 km-long motorway on a section of the Orient/East-Med Core Network (Corridor VIII) in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Estimated total investment: €13.6 millionEU contribution: €2.7 million

EXTENSION OF TEN-T CORE NETWORK: RECONSTRUCTION OF DURRES PORT, QUAYS 1 AND 2

This investment project will reconstruct Quays 1 and 2 on the Western Terminal of the Port of Durres – one of the four existing terminals of the largest seaport in Albania.

Estimated total investment: €62.5 millionEU contribution: €27.7 million