Skopje, 23 April 2025 (MIA) – Networking with other interparliamentary groups from the neighbouring countries is a good thing. We can see how joint cooperation is necessary also regarding having quality transport – a transport that doesn’t pollute as much. This involves the so called high-speed green rails. We don’t need to travel by plane to Belgrade or Zagreb if we have the so called “green lane”, said MP Velika Stojkova – Serafimovska said at Wednesday’s roundtable “Green Parliamentary Groups of the Western Balkans – a meeting with the Transport Community”, held in Skopje.

The interparliamentary group on the environment and climate change, she said, aims at boosting cooperation with the citizens because “we all breathe the same air.”

When talking about the environment, we have to think regionally and even globally, she stressed.

“We shouldn’t be the only ones working on improving the environment without having the neighbours also working on the same goal,” the MP said in a statement to members of the media.

Opening the event, German Ambassador Petra Drexler said her country remains a dedicated partner to the Western Balkans countries helping the region in green transition by providing financial and technical assistance through the German Development Bank (KfW) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

“Our common goal is a climate sustainable and prosperous Europe. Through initiatives, such as the Regional Climate Partnership in which we align the Berlin Process with the Western Balkans’ Green Agenda, we reaffirm Germany’s support for climate protection and green transition of the region. Through this mechanism, together we work on strengthening sustainable infrastructure, improving energy security and creating fresh economic opportunities,” said the Ambassador.

Drexler said Germany has already pledged up to 500 million euros on the short- and middle term as well as additional 1 billion euros by 2030 in green energy investments as part of the Regional Climate Partnership.

She stressed that the green parliamentary groups play a key role in promoting the decarbonisation process in the transport sector and the Green Agenda in general.

Matej Zakonjšek, Director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, said delivering the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans demands bold leadership, as it is a strategic vision for the region’s future with less pollution, accessible transport, and smart solutions.

“This future starts with sustainable mobility. In achieving it, the support of the members of parliaments is crucial as it brings democratic legitimacy and the political will necessary to drive this long-term transformation,” he stated.

The aim of the Skopje meeting, he said, is to find a solution on how to make transportation and mobility greener, how to introduce electric vehicles and open more charging stations.

Zakonjšek also called on people living in cities to use more public transportation, ride bikes and go on walks.

Wednesday’s roundtable is organized by the Transport Community and GIZ and the Green Parliamentary Groups of the Western Balkans to strengthen political commitment to implementing the Green Agenda and sustainable mobility in the region.

The event brought together parliamentarians, technical experts, and representatives of regional organisations to review the progress made so far and identify opportunities for deeper cooperation on reforms in green transport. The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to align regional strategies with the European Union’s climate objectives and mobility standards.

Photo: MIA