Re-Linking the Western Balkans:The Transportation Dimension

Executive Summary & Policy Recommendations

Economic development cannot be attained without highly efficient transport networks. Sustainable transport occurring in an integrated, bottleneck-free network will generate not only wealth but considerable positive social and political spillovers. This is particularly true in the area of the Western Balkans, a region that is currently undergoing a long process of transition and reform in view of eventual accession to the European Union.
This report aims to introduce the reader to the current state of transport and infrastructure development in the Western Balkans and to analyze the challenges that these countries face in the effort to form stronger transport links. Based on these challenges, specific policy recommendations are also provided, in the hope that they could aid in the transition process of the countries concerned.