It is a great honour to assume the role of Director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Regional Steering Committee of the Transport Community for the confidence they have placed in me. I will do my utmost to justify this trust through dedicated service, professionalism and results.
The Western Balkans possess considerable economic potential. Realising this potential depends to a large extent on deeper regional cooperation and progressively closer integration with the European Union. Efficient, safe, sustainable, resilient and interoperable transport networks are fundamental to this objective. They connect markets, facilitate trade, create opportunities for businesses, bring people closer together and contribute to stability and prosperity across the region.
Since its establishment, the Transport Community has become a key driver of transport integration across the Western Balkans. It has supported the alignment of legislation with the EU acquis, promoted investment in the Trans-European Transport Network, strengthened institutions and built an outstanding network of cooperation among transport professionals, public authorities, international financial institutions, civil society and the private sector. These achievements have significantly advanced regional connectivity and laid a strong foundation for future progress.
I am delighted to build upon the remarkable work of my predecessor, Mr Matej Zakonjšek. Under his leadership, the Transport Community established itself as a respected and influential regional organisation, delivering concrete progress in connectivity, transport reforms and regional cooperation. My ambition is to build on these achievements and ensure that the commitments already made are translated into faster and more visible implementation.
I am particularly motivated by the conviction that the Transport Community has great potential to deliver tangible results that improve cross-border connectivity, foster economic development and accelerate the coherent integration of the region into the European transport system. The role of the Transport Community extends beyond supporting legislative approximation. It helps translate political commitments into practical implementation, stronger institutions and visible improvements for citizens, businesses and transport operators.
In the coming years, I intend to reinforce a focused, coordinated and impact-oriented approach, strengthening the link between political ambition and implementation on the ground. I look forward to working closely with all regional partners and observing participants, the European Commission, the Regional Steering Committee and international financial institutions to accelerate the delivery of priority transport projects, remove cross-border bottlenecks, promote sustainable and smart mobility, improve transport safety and support the effective implementation of the EU transport acquis.
Achieving these objectives will require the Transport Community to work hand in hand with governments and public authorities, which remain the principal owners and drivers of the reform processes. Lasting progress depends on their leadership, institutional capacity and commitment to implementing the decisions and standards agreed together. Parliaments also have an essential role to play by adopting the legislation required for closer integration with the European Union and by strengthening democratic oversight, accountability and public understanding of transport reforms. By engaging parliaments, governments and administrations throughout the process, we can help ensure that reforms are not only adopted, but effectively implemented, publicly understood and sustained over time.
The importance of our work has become even greater in the current geopolitical context. I look forward to strengthening cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova, whose closer integration with the European transport system is of strategic importance for the wider European continent. The Transport Community can make a meaningful contribution to this process by sharing expertise, supporting legislative alignment, promoting interoperability and helping to develop resilient and well-connected transport networks.
Throughout my professional career, I have worked at the intersection of public administration, policymaking and practical implementation. I hope this combination of professional and political experience will allow me to contribute to the Transport Community with an impartial perspective, a genuine interest in the success of all regional partners and observing participants, and a strong focus on delivering practical solutions through dialogue, partnership and mutual respect.
I will always remain at the disposal of the regional partners and observing participants. The Permanent Secretariat exists to support their common objectives, facilitate cooperation and help deliver the commitments we have undertaken together. My priority will be to ensure that the Secretariat remains a trusted, professional, effective and responsive partner for all.
I look forward to working with my colleagues at the Permanent Secretariat and across the region, as well as with transport professionals, public authorities, civil society organisations, international financial institutions, the private sector and all other partners who share our objective of bringing the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine closer to the European Union and its transport system.
#TogetherConnected, we will continue strengthening transport connectivity, supporting sustainable economic growth and advancing the development of a common European transport area for the benefit of all our citizens.
Tālis Linkaits
Director
Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community
