The delegation of the Ministry of Transport of Montenegro met on 1st November 2024 with a delegation from the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia.
The delegation of the Ministry of Transport of Montenegro, led by Minister Maia Vukićević and the Deputy Prime Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Milun Zogović, met on 1st November 2024 with a delegation from the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia, headed by Minister Goran Vesić.
The Executive Director of Montenegrin Railways AD Podgorica, Dragana Lukšić, attended the meeting organised by the Ministry of Transport of Montenegro in connection with this visit, which was also attended by representatives of other railway companies from Montenegro, Montenegrin Railway Infrastructure and AD Montecargo, as well as Mr. Nebojša Rodić, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Montenegro.
The Minister of Transport of Montenegro, Maia Vukićević, emphasised the importance of Minister Vesić's visit and expressed gratitude to her colleagues from the Government of Serbia for their swift and effective preparation for the implementation of agreements reached during the September visit of representatives of the Montenegrin Government to Belgrade. Minister Vukićević stated that high-level cooperation has been established with her colleagues from the Government of Serbia, which represents a key step towards renewing and strengthening regional ties and enhancing infrastructure projects of strategic importance. Vukićević particularly highlighted the continuation of the construction of the second section of the motorway as a priority, noting that the tender process has begun and that the works are progressing according to plan. She also pointed out the importance of reconstructing the railway line Bar - Bijelo Polje for Montenegro, especially in the context of strengthening regional connectivity and the more efficient functioning of the Port of Bar as Montenegro's main transport port. Montenegro has already secured funds from European sources for the reconstruction of the first section of the railway, which covers the route Bar - Golubovci, as well as for the procurement of new trains to further enhance railway transport.
Additionally, the meeting discussed future cooperation between Montenegro and Serbia regarding joint locomotive operations and the maintenance of railway rolling stock.
Minister Vesić stated that Serbia and Montenegro established a joint railway crossing at the Bijelo Polje railway station last summer, which shortened travel time by approximately 45 minutes. He also emphasised that the Serbian Government considers cooperation with Montenegro a priority, expressing confidence that new projects will bring multiple benefits to both countries.
During the discussions, Ministers Vukićević and Vesić agreed on the significance of constructing a joint border crossing at the location of Gostun, which would significantly reduce waiting times at the border between Serbia and Montenegro, contributing to better traffic flow and strengthening economic ties between the two countries.