Montenegro is steadily advancing in enhancing its railway sector as part of the broader initiative to develop transportation links between the European Union (EU) and South-Eastern European nations. The country is making moderate progress in road measures and is slow in the area of water transport.

According to the Transport Community’s report on the implementation of EU action plans and acquis communautaire for 2024, Montenegro has achieved 80% in road safety, 67% in railways, 64% in traffic facilitation, 55% in roads, 46% in social issues and passenger rights, and just 30% in water transport.

The Transport Community is an international entity focused on extending EU transport market policy rules to the Western Balkans through a legally binding treaty, aiming to develop a comprehensive transport network. This organization monitors Balkan transport market alignment with the EU, assists in legislation and project implementation, and oversees six specific action plans for railways, traffic facilitation, roads, safety, water transport, and social issues and passenger rights. Established in 2017, the Transport Community comprises 36 members, including EU countries, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, with three observer states: Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova. The latest progress report was prepared between October 2023 and October 2024, marking the conclusion of the first generation of action plans that spanned from 2020 to 2024, with future plans planned for 2025 to 2027.

Road Safety as a Priority

According to the report, Montenegro is making gradual improvements towards achieving the railway action plan goals and is currently at 67 percent completion, with a minimal increase of two percent over the past year noted.

Montenegro has taken initiatives to invest in infrastructure safety in alignment with EU standards. In 2023, road fatalities rose to 78, and the target is to reduce this to 23 by 2030.

“Montenegro committed to opening its railway market in 2016, but it wasn’t until 2023 that a private railway operator began operations. The country has established an independent Railway Directorate, and the draft for a new Railway Law has been completed. It is advised that efforts continue to advance the Railway Law and Railway Safety Law, publish technical measures for the integrated operation of sectoral systems, and finalize the construction of twelve tunnels and thirteen bridges,” the report indicates.

The report also highlights that Montenegro did not make any advancements in passenger rights over the last year, resulting in stagnation at 33 percent, the same level as 2023. However, there has been measured progress in modernizing railway infrastructure, with notable projects in the region. To date, ten bridges and four tunnels connecting Bijelo Polje, Podgorica, and Bar have been renovated, and a shared railway station was inaugurated in Bijelo Polje last September. The Transport Community anticipates that this will drastically reduce wait times at borders for both passengers and freight.

On a regional scale, Serbia leads the implementation of the railway action plan at 93 percent, followed by Kosovo at 70 percent and Montenegro at 67 percent. North Macedonia is at 62 percent, Bosnia and Herzegovina at 56 percent, and Albania at 51 percent.

As for the road action plan, Montenegro is evaluated to be making moderate progress with a current completion rate of 55 percent. The previous year showed slow advancement, with only a slight increase. Positively, a multi-year contract for maintaining the state road network was established last year, set to last four years, and preparations are underway to implement an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) on the road network. This system utilizes computers, sensors, and various technologies to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability while minimizing environmental impact…

“The ITS has already been introduced on the Smokovac-Mateševo highway section at an investment of 25 million euros. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is anticipated to provide a loan for assessing investments and specific ITS projects on main and regional roads, with loan agreement signing expected in 2025. In road safety, Montenegro has realized 80 percent of the plan, positioning it as the second regional partner regarding the introduction of safety measures from the action plan. Montenegro is taking significant steps in infrastructure safety aligning with EU standards. As noted earlier, there were 78 traffic fatalities in Montenegro in 2023, and the target is to reduce this figure to 23 by 2030,” the report states, recommending the adoption of a Medium-Term Program for the Construction, Reconstruction, Maintenance, and Protection of State Roads for the upcoming four years.

Importance of Common Borders

Montenegro has aligned its legislation with the EU directive on managing road infrastructure safety, meeting all requirements to protect vulnerable traffic groups, and is actively addressing eleven traffic black spots. Among its recommendations is the creation of a Traffic Safety Agency.

According to the report, Montenegro has fulfilled 64 percent of the action plan regarding traffic facilitation. Recommendations include continuing coordination with Bosnia and Herzegovina under bilateral agreements aimed at opening three joint border crossings, securing funding for the Šćepan Polje – Hum border project, and negotiating with Serbia to establish joint border controls, alongside proposals for a model of joint control at Božaj and Kula, and preparing documentation to enhance the crossing at Debeli Brijeg…

“Montenegro’s alignment with EU legislation regarding social issues and passenger rights stands at 46 percent, making particular strides in the railway sector. While alignment with older regulations is commendable, a faster adaptation to recent processes, like smart tachographs and improved passenger rights, is essential. Complete transposition of directives about EU standards on working hours and safety has been achieved,” the report stated.

Recommendations include strengthening road inspections and implementing legislation to ensure compliance with rules governing rest periods and driving, endorsing the Declaration on Equal Opportunities for Women in Transport, and promoting initiatives that encourage women’s participation in this sector, as well as harmonizing safety measures for parking and rest areas…

Limited Progress in the Water Sector

The report indicates that Montenegro is progressing slowly on the water transport action plan, having achieved a 30 percent compliance level, with only three percent advancement over the last year.

Current efforts concentrate on legislative drafts addressing ship pollution, port operations, and navigation safety…

“We advise completing the Law on Ports, wrapping up the Law on Preventing Pollution from Vessels, finalizing the Law on Inland Navigation, and continuing to implement sustainable operations at the Port of Bar, as well as promoting alternative fuels as part of the green ports initiative,” the report recommends.

In comparison to the region, Serbia leads this sector with 56 percent compliance, followed closely by Montenegro, while Albania stands at 26 percent, Bosnia and Herzegovina at 17 percent, North Macedonia at nine percent, and Kosovo at six percent.

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