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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia gets assistance for harmonisation of transport legislation with that of EU

Belgrade, 27 January 2011

The EU has launched today a two-year twinning programme worth €1.5 million which envisages assistance in harmonisation of the Serbian transport legislation with that of the EU.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Slavoljub Vukicevic said at the presentation of the twinning project at the Palace of Serbia that this project will have a positive influence on the citizens of Serbia through higher safety in road and rail traffic and a better transportation network in Serbia.

Vukicevic explained that Serbia will benefit largely from the experience of Lithuania, a young EU member which will help Serbia in the realisation of this project together with France.

He specified that this is the second part of the twinning project for improvement of Serbian transportation, and the first phase was completed in March 2008.

The project consists of three parts – harmonisation of laws, staff training and application of an information system which consists of a law database which will enable the Ministry of Infrastructure to follow legislation in this area.

Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert said that €40 million has been set aside from IPA funds this year for transport projects in Serbia.

He noted that the EU endorses Serbian authorities, adding that Serbia has made huge progress in air and road traffic.

Since 2000 the EU has set aside €166 million for assistance to traffic development in Serbia, having recognised the importance of Serbia as an element of the pan-European road network.

Degert noted that transport makes up 7% of GDP in the EU, and that over 5% of labour is employed in this sector, adding that the focus of the EU’s joint policy is “clean, safe and secure journey”.

French Ambassador to Serbia Francois Xavier Deniau said that transport is the crucial precondition Serbia’s good life and competitiveness.

He noted that Serbia is an important geographical crossroads of Europe, especially as part of Corridor 10, which is why it must harmonise its legislature with EU standards to make a good use of its potential.