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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Developing infrastructure in joint interest of Serbia, Italy

Belgrade, 12 October 2007

Serbian Minister of Infrastructure Velimir Ilic and Italian Ambassador to Serbia Alessandro Merola reached agreement today that Serbia and Italy have a joint interest in modernisation of roads in Serbia, which will contribute to European integration and economic development.

Velimir Ilic, left, and Alessandro Merola at today's press conference

At a joint press conference Ilic and Merola said that from October 18 to 19 a meeting will be held in Belgrade on future directions in Serbia in development of transport, infrastructure and logistics, which will be an opportunity to present the Serbian government’s plans in this area.

Ilic said that Serbia has major interest in cooperation with Italy in the area of transport and infrastructure, especially regarding the southern corridor, which through Bar, is the closest connection between Italy and Romania, where a large number of Italian companies are doing business.

He recalled that Serbia and Italy have long standing excellent cooperation, and Italy is financially participating in the realisation of projects in Serbia for reconstruction of the Belgrade-Bar railway line, development of cargo centres, and in projects for constructing flats for socially disadvantaged groups.

Ilic said that Serbia is entering a phase of intensive infrastructure construction, and announced that in November an international tender will be announced for construction of a road to the Macedonian border, and directly after that a tender for a road to the Bulgarian border.

Reconstruction of the Belgrade-Bar railway line will continue, as well as the electrification of the Nis-Dimitrovgrad railway line, said Ilic. He pointed to the fact that in the area of transport Serbia still has a big problem with extensive waiting times on border crossings, which should be resolved immediately.

Ambassador Merola said that Italy looks upon Serbia as a country with a European future and added that roads and railway lines are the first and basic element which will bring Serbia closer to the EU.

According to Merola, infrastructure in Serbia is at a level of development similar to other countries which were part of the former Yugoslavia, but it is worse than in Bulgaria and Romania, which have become members of the EU.

Organisation of the gathering dedicated to infrastructure development, will give Serbian representatives an opportunity to present their plans in this area to Italian counterparts and businesspeople and get feedback from Italian experts, said Merola.

He added that 100 Serbian firms and 65 Italian companies have already announced participation in the gathering. They will talk with representatives of Serbia and Italy as well as representatives of European and international financial institutions.