(ANSA) - BELGRADE, MAY 16 - Today, the European Commission signed high-level agreements with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. These agreements represent a significant step forward in improving transport connectivity between the European Union and the Western Balkan countries.

The agreements aim to connect the Western Balkans to the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), aligning the region's railway lines, roads, ports, and inland waterways with those of the EU. This move will make transportation between EU member states and their Western Balkan counterparts easier and more efficient, boosting regional cooperation and economic integration.

"With the signature of these agreements, and with our proposal for a Western Balkans European Transport Corridor, we are laying the ground to integrate the transport network of the Western Balkans into the EU's. It will promote the development of sustainable and resource-efficient transport connectivity between the EU and these countries. The importance of closer and seamless transport connections cannot be underestimated," Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, said. (ANSA).