A modern and digitalised rail network was recognised as a key priority of the Dedication to Rail signed by ministers in charge of transport in the region at the Western Balkans Rail Summit, held in Belgrade on 13 September. The event was organised by the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), under the auspices of Serbia’s Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure.

The summit gathered ministers in charge of transport from the Western Balkans and neighbouring countries with representatives of the European Commission and rail professionals for discussions on how to advance regional and European transport policy and contribute to building a digitalised and sustainable rail transport system in the region. Commitments were made on a number of priorities including re-establishing direct intercity train links connecting the region and the EU; enhancing digitalisation of railway systems to connect and exchange data for cross-border passenger and freight transport; increasing safety of level crossings; and opening rail markets.

The summit was organised to coincide with the arrival of the Connecting Europe Express  train as part of the European Year of Rail. This is part of the European Green Deal plan to make the EU economy sustainable by achieving climate neutrality by 2050.