Within the framework of the Regional Network of Parliamentary Committees on Economy, Finance and European Integration of the Western Balkans, meeting of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget of the Parliament of Montenegro and Economy and Finance Committee of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania on the topic of “Parliamentary dimension of cooperation between Montenegro and Republic of Albania in the field of transport” was held in Ulcinj today, with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

The meeting was also attended by: Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs Mr Ivan Brajović, President of Municipality of Plav Mr Orhan Šahmanović and Vice President of Municipality of Ulcinj Mr Ardian Mavrić.

During the introductory part, the participants were addressed by HeadofEurope Programmes of theWestminster FoundationforDemocracy Mr George Kunnath as well as Chairperson of the Regional Network of Parliamentary Committees on Economy, Finance and European Integration of the Western Balkans and Chairperson of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Aleksandar Damjanović.

Following the opening statement of minister Brajović, all participants of the meeting took part in the discussion which contained actual proposals and suggestions related to priorities of transport cooperation of Montenegro and Republic of Albania, both from the level of the two states and from the level of interest of local communities, i.e. municipalities of Ulcinj and Plav.

Among other things, the joint evaluation of Skadar Lake was emphasised, with regard to waterway on the flow of Bojana River as well as need of electrification of the railway line Podgorica - Skadar, the use of the complementary advantages of the ports of Bar and Durrës, and cooperation in the field of air transport, respectively airports in Podgorica and Tirana, etc.

Taking into consideration interests of the municipalities Plav and Ulcinj, which correspond to the interests of national importance for Montenegro, it has been jointly assessed that the construction of the road Plav-Podgorica, through Albania, is a priority project of mutual interest. Additionally, the need of defining Ulcinj as an international port was stressed, that is, the introduction of ferry traffic between Ulcinj and Durrës and need of transport connecting of Montenegro and Albania by the nearest transport link across the river Bojana in the hinterland of Velika plaža.

At the end of the bilateral meeting, the participants agreed both of committees to make a joint proposal of recommendations, which would be submitted to governments of Montenegro and Republic of Albania. On behalf of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget of the Parliament of Montenegro, the meeting was attended by MPs: Aleksandar Damjanović, Zoran Jelić, Milutin Đukanović, Mladen Bojanić, Almer Kalač and Nik Gjeloshaj, while on behalf of the Economy and Finance Committee of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, the following MPs attended the meeting: Ervin Koci, Majlinda Bufi, Agron Cela, Arben Cuko and Blerina Gjylameti.