Benefits for Greece by facilitating trade and transport in the Western Balkans

Western Balkan countries, led by Albania, asked the World Bank to support their regional integration agenda and speed up convergence towards the EU single market and for this purpose, the World Bank prepared a cross-sectoral and transnational project facilitating it and transport (TTFP2.0). TTFP 2.0 supports not only the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU, but also extends significant benefits to neighbouring Member States – and is one of them. TTFP 2.0 provides the tools in Greece for strengthening the international and regional supply chain and can help achieve their goal of placing the country as an entry gate for containers between Central Europe and Western European markets. According to a report by the Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Embassy of Greece in Tirana, the most important area in which TTFP2.0 can help is to facilitate trade and transport along the X corridor through North Macedonia and Serbia and runway VIII through Albania, North Macedonia and possibly Kosovo. More specifically, in the context of the EU’s green stripes, Greece could potentially benefit most through improvements at the border crossing point of the X Corridor between Greece and Northern Macedonia (Egyptians- Bogorodica). In addition, TTFP2.0 plans to support border improvements between Greece and Albania at Kapshticë/Krystalosource. Through TTFP2.0, the ultimate objective is to prepare for the Western Balkan countries to ensure effective and common managed borders both road and rail freight between North Macedonia, Albania and Greece. If Greece can coordinate and match these investments by upgrading infrastructure, combined with improving IT systems and equipment upgrades, the positive effects will multiply for all sides. Greece will also benefit from improvements in the corridors and borders between North Macedonia and Serbia, in particular interventions supporting the effective movement of railway goods. In this regard, TTFP2.0 will support the effectiveness of rail operations through the full implementation of the Electronic Data Exchange System (EDI) in Serbia, and the improvement of rail level crossings, combined with TTFP1.0, both in Serbia and North Macedonia. In addition, the extension of the development of intelligent transport systems (ITS) across the runway X and critical sections of runway VIII will significantly increase the efficiency and resilience of these major roads, eventually making these corridors more attractive to users of Greece portal ports and logistics services. Finally, TTFP2.0 aims at a series of institutional and political actions that could promote cooperation, exchange of information and data and joint decision-making between the partners of Corridor X, including Greece. For example, improving the monitoring and management of the runway performance, in close cooperation with the Transport Community Secretariat and the European Commission, is one of the objectives of TTFP2.0. which will help identify bottlenecks along the corridors and provide all decision-makers with the necessary tools for infrastructure and optimal policy. Improving trade facilitation in the Western Balkans also generates tangible benefits for the well-being of EU neighbours, especially those countries which either trade intensively with the Western Balkans or pass through it. The biggest benefits are estimated in Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia. EU neighbouring countries also benefit from the fastest trade in WB6, especially if this is combined with investment in connectivity infrastructure. Improvements to corridors X and VIII The X corridor through North Macedonia and Serbia and the VIII corridor through Albania, North Macedonia and possibly Kosovo. Improvements are noted at the border crossing point of the X Corridor between Greece and Northern Macedonia in Evzoni/Bogodorica and the Greek-Albanian border at Kapshtice/Krystalopigi. Emphasis on alignment with the EU Green Strips initiative for efficient and sustainable movement of goods. Infrastructure and efficiency upgrades: The initiative aims to enhance efficiency, particularly for rail freight, by implementing the electronic data exchange system (EDI) in Serbia and improving level crossings in Serbia and North Macedonia. Extension of intelligent transport systems (ITS) to runway X and critical sections of runway VIII to enhance efficiency and resilience. Positive effects are expected if Greece coordinates and matches these investments, combined with common policies, procedures, IT systems and equipment upgrades. Institutional and political actions: TTFP 2.0 aims at institutional and political actions to promote cooperation, exchange of information and decision-making between the partners of Corridor X, including Greece. Improvements in runway monitoring and performance management, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Transport Community and the European Commission, shall be noted to identify bottlenecks and inform infrastructure and policy decisions. Recommendations: Coordination and cooperation: Support close coordination with TTFP 2.0 initiatives to maximise benefits for Greece. Active participation of Greece in discussions on the implementation of these projects. Cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including government bodies, private enterprises and international organisations, to align strategies and investments. Comparison of infrastructure investments: Strategic alignment of TTFP 2.0 investments with additional infrastructure upgrades on the Greek side, ensuring seamless connectivity and mutual benefits. Policy alignment: Align national policies with the objectives of TTFP 2.0 to streamline procedures and facilitate normal cross-border movements. Investigation of opportunities for joint decision-making and exchange of data between the partners of Corridor X. Regular monitoring and evaluation: Create a mechanism for regular monitoring and evaluation of the impact of TTFP 2.0 initiatives in Greece, ensuring adaptive responses to emerging challenges. To conclude, TTFP 2.0 is an important opportunity for Greece to strengthen its position as a container portal between Central Europe and intercontinental markets. Strategic alignment, cooperation and preventive commitment will be the key to maximising the benefits, it refers to the report of the Greek Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Affairs Office in Tirana. Source: RES-AE