Report normalisation starts with air, railway and road transport

The recent agreements signed between Kosovo and Serbia, according to Ambassador Green, but also Kosovo and Serbian presidents Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vuciq, will facilitate the movement of people and goods between the two states and will be in service of economic development and increased investments from abroad.

After signing the agreement for opening the airline of Pristina Belgrade and vice versa, Kosovo and Serbia have signed two letters of interest expression in Germany in Munich, the one for highways and railways through which the two countries express readiness for the opening of existing roads, but also for building new roads connecting the two states with the region and the EU.

Nis-Merdar-Pristina Highway

Since the launch of the Berlin Process, a diplomatic initiative launched in 2014 by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Kosovo and Serbia had received support for the Nis-Merdare-Pristina highway project. Authorities of both countries have since expressed readiness to complete the project.

The aim of this initiative even then was support for peace and stability in the Western Balkans and strengthening regional co-operation.

The competent authorities in Pristina, years ago, have confirmed that they also have the project for the Pristina highway -- Merdare Nis -- a project that can be continued under the highway that currently connects Kosovo with Albania. In the future, though, it can connect all three countries.

This highway, on the territory of Kosovo, is a continuation of the highway Ibrahim Rugovaı, which has ended up in Besi, a village located around Pristina's magistrates, and there are another 24 kilometers to Merdara”, former Minister of Infrastructure Lutfi Zwarku had said.

Kosovo has already built the highway that connects it with Albania, as well as the other highway that links it to Northern Macedonia, but Macedonian authorities have not yet finalised its share of work.

Kosovo- Serbia

In addition to the highway agreement, the agreement on railway transport has been signed in Munich between Kosovo and Serbia.

Railway transport to Kosovo is represented as one of the worst systems in the region. Currently, there are only two lines running through Kosovo trains. Pristina line é Hani i Elez and Pristina - Peje. Both lines do only transport passengers.

But Kosovo continues not to manage the railway line in northern Mitrovica, which is under Serbia's control, while implementing projects for rehabilitation and modernisation of railways in general.

Agron Thaci, chief executive in company “Infrakos”, which deals with the railway infrastructure, told Free Europe Radio that they are willing to implement the agreement but that they still have no information about the form used in the agreement, as an expression of interest.

He says the Kosovo-Serbia railway line through northern Mitrovica can enter into office very quickly, while for the next line coming from Podujevo, he says time is needed.

These agreements, besides leaders of high institutions, have also been welcomed by the business community.

The American Economic Oda in Kosovo welcomes the signing of the railway and highway agreement between Kosovo and Serbian authorities.

In a media communiqué, Oda says Oda firmly believes that this agreement will bring increased economic benefits to both countries, and especially to private sector companies operating in both countries.

Otherwise, Serbia's Railway trains operate within Kosovo's territory, despite being considered illegal by authorities in Pristina. Twice a day “trains Srbija Voz”, operating from the town of Kraljevva in Serbia to northern Mitrovica. The operation of Serbia's Railway trains within Kosovo territory continues, despite a 2017 decision issued by the Kosovo Railways Regulatory Authority, which illegally declares Serbian trains operating on the territory of northern Mitrovica.

Pristina airline '%Belgradegrad

In addition to railway and highway agreements, on January 20th in Berlin, Pristina and Belgrade, but under the mediation of Ambassador Green have signed the agreement for the Pristina-Pristina airline. German company, “Lufthansa” is selected to operate on this line.

The Pristina airline Belgrade aims to normalise air space and air traffic in Kosovo. The establishment of this line, according to the Kosovo Civil Aviation Authority, could take place after arrangements between aviation authorities and NATO under the mechanism for normalising the airspace of the Western Balkans.

According to this letter of interest, Belgrade Airport can also be used as a passenger destination to travel to different countries of Europe and the world.

Air flights between Kosovo and Serbia were cut off in 1999. At the time, Serbia lost control over Kosovo after NATO bombings in 1999 aimed at protecting the civilian population and ousting Serb forces, thus ending the war in Kosovo.