25 January 2019

SAGOV Project partner, the Montenegrin Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, is currently negotiating with EU two transport related chapters:

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???? Trans European Transport Networks.

Being a front-runner in this process means also sharing best practices with other neighbouring countries. We asked Emina Mujevic Kara, General Director for International Cooperation and EU Funds, about the progress achieved by Montenegro in the transport sector. Click here to watch the full interview.

25 January 2019

Good and efficient institutional cooperation is paramount in enhancing connectivity dynamics between Albania, Italy and Montenegro. Civil society, research institutions and Think Tanks have a very important role in supporting this process. Follow here the statements from Cooperation and Development Institute Director of Research – Ardian Hackaj and European Movement in Montenegro President – Momcilo Radulovic.

25 January 2019

SAGOV project concludes its cycle of interviews in Montenegro with an important statement from Mr. Muamer Hajdarpasic, State Secretary of Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs of Montenegro.

Mr. Hajdarpasic underlines the importance of institutional cooperation between Albania and Italy in the governance of connectivity.

Click here to watch the full video.

25 January 2019

Connectivity is a very important component of the Enlargement Strategy of the European Union towards the Western Balkans. Click here to follow the statement of Mr. Marius Toth, Minister Counsellor at the Romanian Embassy in Podgorica, given during the SAGOV Roundtable organized on January 25. Currently, Romania holds the rotating Presidency of the EU Council.

25 January, 2019

SAGOV project Round-table “Connectivity in the South Adriatic Region 2019” has just kicked off in Podgorica. Thematic discussions will focus on the latest developments in Connectivity initiatives in Albania-Montenegro-Italy.

Main discussions focusing on:

•  connectivity dynamics in infrastructure;
•  VTMIS implementation in Montenegro;
• position of the South-Adriatic Region vis a vis developments in the connectivity scenario;
•  EU initiatives supporting connectivity initiatives in the region.

SAGOV project is supported by Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro and it will promote an integrated governance approach supporting a joint vision and higher efficiency of policy making regarding the cross-border connectivity infrastructure.

Click here for more photos of the event and here to read the Press Release.

8 January, 2019

SAGOV stands for “South Adriatic Connectivity Governance” and is supported by Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro. The project is leaded by Cooperation and Development Institute and is implemented in partnership with Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Regione Puglia , Montenegrin Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs  and European Movement in Montenegro .

The website of the project is now online and will be enriched in 2019 with research results and activities of the project!  Like SAGOV and be informed about connectivity initiatives in the South Adriatic Area.

Read more at: https://sagov.italy-albania-montenegro.eu/

SOUTH – ADRIATIC CONNECTIVITY GOVERNANCE (SAGOV) initiative officially kick-started on May 29 in Tirana. The launching event brought all the partners together with main stakeholders from Italy, Albania and Montenegro. This opportunity was used to also present the project to the public.

In his welcoming speech Mr. Ardian Hackaj, Director of Research at Cooperation and Development Institute and Project Coordinator of SAGOV, underlined the role of connectivity within the Western Balkans, and of the region with the EU partners, as a key factor for higher growth, more jobs, and more intensive trade and p2p cooperation. He provided a picture of current and planned routes connecting the WB6, as well as linking the region with the Motorways of the Sea in the Adriatic and the TEN-T corridors. In his presentation he emphasized the need for more attention towards maritime connectivity and short shipping routes between the ports of Italy, Albania and Montenegro. Mr. Ardian Hackaj underlined that historical connections and trade patterns call for a bigger emphasis in developing the connectivity in the South Adriatic Area among the three countries.

In the first panel of the launching event entitled “Regional Cooperation and Connectivity in the South Adriatic Area”, Mrs. Irena  Malolli – Director of conception and feasibility of Infrastructure and Territorial Projects, at Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy in Albania – underlined the need of mapping connectivity initiatives in South Adriatic as a necessary step for better vision and efficient coordination. Mr. Serafino  Stajano, representative of the Italian Embassy in Tirana, stated the interest of Italian business partners to use the Port of Durres as the gate to the Western Balkans region, drawing the attention on the need for better information as well as ex-ante coordination amongst the connectivity stakeholders. Mr. Radulovic – President of European Movement in Montenegro – also applauded the initiative of SAGOV as a good example of inclusive approach by promoting the involvement of NGO-s, think tanks, local authorities, etc. On the other side, Mr. Claudio Polignano, representative of Puglia Region, another partner of SAGOV, said that while Puglia Region, Montenegro and Albania have already been connected through EUSAIR, TEN-T and Connectivity Agenda there has been no structured communication or coordination between these initiatives, a gap that SAGOV aims to correct.

On the second panel “Challenges and opportunities of regional transport infrastructures in South Adriatic Area”, Mr. Ilir Basha from EBRD Office Tirana, gave a comprehensive picture of EBRD supported connectivity projects in Albania. Mr. Elson  Thana, in charge of Maritime Transport in Albanian Ministry of Infrastrcture and Energy, explained the importance of the VTMIS – the selected pilot project that SAGOV will contribute to bring to maturation – for the maritime connectivity. Mr. Aleksandar  Simonovic from Montenegrin Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, explained the progress of Montenegro in implementing the first phase of VTMIS and its commitment to work closely with Albanian and Italian colleagues on the maturation process for VTMIS in Albania. Mrs. Oriana  Arapi, General Director of Development and Good Governance Policy Unit at Albanian Prime Minister Office, stated that while Berlin Process and Connectivity Agenda are mostly focused on North-South Connectivity, attention should be brought into the revitalisation of the Corridor VIII –connecting Italy and Albania through ports – as key to East-West connectivity. She added that SAGOV can be a strategic project in promoting such connectivity and also help in implementing the National Transport Strategy.

During the conclusions, Mr. Hackaj underlined the strategic importance of SAGOV in the connectivity map of South Adriatic, its contribution in a better understanding of the context, common vision and seamless implementation of regional projects, as well as the potential achievements and challenges coming from developments in the region. A special attention was paid to the interaction with Belt and Road Initiative.

The official kick-off event follows an earlier partner meeting Tirana of 13 April where the South Adriatic Connectivity Task Force was established. “South Adriatic Connectivity Governance” is funded by Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro Programme and is implemented by Cooperation and Development Institute (Lead Partner) in partnership with the Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Montenegrin Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Region of Puglia, and European Movement in Montenegro. Project Associated partners are Albanian Ministry of Finance and Economy and Italian Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport — Coast Guard Headquarters. The project duration is 24 months, from April 2018 to March 2020.

SAGOV – agenda

11 June, 2019

Another productive meeting in Bari, where SAGOV project team from Cooperation and Development Institute and Puglia Region discussed on the upcoming project strategic activities, including the presentation in Poznan at Think Tank Western Balkans Summit within the framework of Berlin Process in July, presentation of connectivity initiatives in South-Adriatic Area at Fiera del Levante in September, as well as the respective communication activities and research work.

08 July 2019

On 3th of July, SAGOV project was presented in the Western Balkans Summit in Poznań, in the Think Tanks Forum aiming to discuss the achievements and challenges facing the new European Commission linked to the EU’s enlargement policy and the development of the Berlin Process. Mr. Ardian Hackaj, SAGOV Coordinator shared some initial findings of the project with researchers and policy-makers from EU and the Western Balkans.

By bringing in the big picture the notion of multi-dimensional connectivity, Cooperation and Development Institute and its SAGOV partners used the data and information produced by the project supported by INTERREG IPA CBC Italy Albania Montenegro to develop the concepts of Criticality and of Cost of connectivity in Western Balkans.

Mr. Hackaj brought the case of Albania to illustrate the role that the structure of external trade plays on prioritization of connectivity investments.

SAGOV results show that Puglia Region is the closest geographical connection of Albanian economy with the EU market through TEN-T network. Core Pugliese ports of Bari and Taranto are the entry gate for Albania to the TEN-T Scandinavian – Mediterranean corridor.

The maritime distance is many times shorter than road that link Tirana to Corridor X. The required infrastructure investments where Albania needs to invest – focused only on the core ports of Durrës, and comprehensive ports Vlora and Shëngjin -, are incomparably smaller as compared with road infrastructure needed to go through the Balkans to join Corridor X.

Moreover the structure of trade exchanges and the composition of Albanian foreign trade overwhelmingly favours prioritization of the maritime transport, and with Italy. Albania’s biggest export remain minerals and circa 75% of all trade goes through Durres Port, while Italy is the country’s biggest trading partner (48% of imports and 28% of exports).

The completion of Trans Adriatic Pipeline adds energy connectivity to the whole picture. The next Western Balkans Summit will be presided by North Macedonia and Bulgaria. Both countries have a strategic interest in Corridor VIII. In this optic, SAGOV project becomes even more relevant in improving and enhancing connectivity in South Adriatic Area.

More photos are available in the Facebook page.

Adriatic Connectivity Forum – promoting connectivity in South Adriatic Area

17-18 February 2021

The final event of the South Adriatic Governance – SAGOV project took place online on 17-18 February under the theme “The Adriatic Connectivity Forum- promoting connectivity in South Adriatic Area”. The forum was organized by Puglia Region (SAGOV project partner) in partnership with Cooperation and Development Institute (SAGOV Lead Partner) and brought together a high-level cast of speakers from local, regional and EU institutions, active and vocal in connectivity dynamics.

During two intense days, the forum brought into focus the transport connectivity and the opportunities that may arise from the development of the Connectivity Agenda in the Adriatic and Ionian Macro-regional area, to boost the movement of goods and people from the East towards the heart of Europe and vice-versa. In addition, the event aimed to promote and support the institutional dialogue between different actors and key stakeholders towards an integrated approach between the EUSAIR Strategy, the Trans-European Corridors and the Connectivity agenda in the Western Balkans, in the attempt to place this area in the global map of transport networks.

The event kicked off with the Welcome Notes from Mr. Alessandro Delli Noci – Apulian Regional Minister for Economic Development and International Policies and continued with the Keynote Addresses from  Mr. Mladen Bojanic, Montenegrin Minister of Capital Investments, Mr. Etjen Xhafaj, Albanian Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy and Mr. Alberto Petrangeli, Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy in Tirana –  who highlighted that the triangle Puglia – Albania – Montenegro constitute a strategic hub that serves as an entry gate for both EU and the Balkans. All emphasized the importance of SAGOV project in highlighting and bringing into the attention of the policy makers the importance of maritime connectivity.

The first panel “Improving the Connectivity Agenda in the Western Balkans and the cooperation with EU: policies and investment projects” started under the moderation of Mr. Ardian Hackaj, Director of Research at Cooperation and Development Institute and with the participation of Mr. Matej Zakonsek, Director of the Transport Community Secretariat, Mr. Donald Mishaxhiu, Director – Senior banker at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Mr. Michael Voegele, from the EU Neighbourhood & Enlargement and Amb. Traian Chebeleu, Deputy Secretary General, Permanent International Secretariat of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation – BSEC PERMIS. The panel concluded that project implementation needs to be accompanied by reform measures, strengthening of domestic institutions and regional coordination on joint projects.

The forum continued with the kick of the second panel “The multimodal Corridors system within the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian region (EUSAIR)” that together with Mr. Giuseppe Catalano, Head of Technical Department for Strategic Infrastructure at the Italian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr. Thimjo Plaku, Director for Development of Transport and Infrastructure Policies and Strategies at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Ms. Danijela Kapa, designated Head of the Department for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Capital Investments – Montenegro and under the moderation of Mr. Giorgio Fruscione – ISPI – Istituto per gli studi di politica internazionale  further explored the theme of the multimodal Corridors system within the EU Strategy for the Adriatic – Ionian region (EUSAIR).

Likewise, the second day of Adriatic Connectivity Forum began with a keynote address from Mr. Bujar Osmani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, who focused on the Initiative 8, as a regional initiative that brings together infrastructure, economies, p2p and institutional cooperation into one Corridor from Adriatic to the Black Sea.

Afterwards, the first panel “Talk with European Institutions – TEN T” kicked off with the participation of Mr. Alain Baron from the EU Commission and Mr. Giuseppe Ferrandino, Member of the European Parliament, under the moderation of Ms. Angela Stefania Bergantino, from the University of Bari and Italian Association of Transport Economics. This session was dedicated to the Adriatic–Ionian Corridor and the Orient– East / Med Core Network (Corridor VIII) in the framework of TEN-T revision process and emphasized that the Corridor 8 is one of very rare horizontal axis that connects Europe. The speakers added that to succeed it requires political will, prioritization of main intervention during its route, modernization, coordinated planning and substantial research on the form of such a multi-modal corridor.

The second panel, reserved to project partners, focused on the SAGOV main results and the strategic role of cross-border cooperation for the transport sector. The project partners presented some of the key outputs of SAGOV project such as the Connectivity Platform – a web based and interactive e-platform with Semaphore system that aims to increase the visibility and coordination of connectivity initiatives linking Italy / Puglia Region, Albania and Montenegro.

In addition, the speakers highlighted that Albania and Montenegro have an excellent cross-border cooperation in infrastructure, while acknowledging that SAGOV has provided a framework that can help coordinate connectivity activities in the region and has promoted the participation of Puglia in this scheme.

The final panel of the two-day forum focused on the key role of South – Adriatic ports in the global transport connectivity network. The panel took place under the moderation of Mr. Enrico Fardella, T.wai – Torino World Affairs Institute and with the participation of Mr. Giuseppe Garofalo, General Director at ASSET – Regione Puglia, Mr. Lucas Bosser, Director for Transport and Accessibility at Conference of peripheral maritime regions, Mr. Pirro Vengu, CEO at the Durres Port Authority and Mr. Alessandro Panaro, Director of Maritime and Mediterranean Economy department at SRM Studi Ricerche Mezzogiorno. The key highlight of this session was attributed to the new initiative “Center of Excellence on Maritime Affairs” – between Durres Port, together with Transport Permanent Secretariat, Cooperation and Development Institute and University of Durres. The panelists also highlighted that Ports that integrate ZES (Economic Special Zones), an integrated governance approach and need to adapt to post Covid19 situation, will define ports in South Adriatic Area.

The agenda of the event can be consulted here. To find out more on SAGOV project and its activities and deliverables, please further consult the official website here.