Assessment of transport policy in the Western Balkans, with particular regard to the role of the EU

Abstract

Transport infrastructure in the Western Balkans is generally in poor overall condition, marked by decades of underinvestment, insufficient maintenance, and outdated management practices. Low road and railway densities, poor track conditions, and aging rolling stock hinder economic development and regional integration.The European Union plays a pivotal and multi-faceted role, viewing the region as an integral part of Europe and a geostrategic priority. The EU's involvement aims to accelerate economic development, foster regional economic integration, and align infrastructure with European standards. Key initiatives like The Berlin Process, Connectivity Agenda (CA), and the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) prioritize transport infrastructure development.Funding is channelled via mechanisms such as the Instrument for the Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), with transport projects dominating WBIF grants. These efforts focus on extending the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) core network and creating a fully integrated regional transport market based on EU legislation (European Commission, 2017). While EU enlargement reducing border barriers (Nagy et al., 2023) has a more profound impact on accessibility and integration, these investments are crucial for reducing disparities and facilitating EU accession.