SKOPJE – On Wednesday, 23 April 2025, the Green Inter-Party Parliamentary Groups from the Western Balkans met in Skopje for their second meeting with the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community to continue the regional dialogue on sustainable mobility and the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.
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.
“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,” Mr Matej Zakonjšek, Director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community pointed out.
Key discussions cantered around the progress in aligning with EU legislation in the field of transport, the advancement of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy for the Western Balkans, and the development of Green Lanes and border infrastructure. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of the Green Parliamentary Groups in promoting sustainable and green transport through their oversight functions within parliaments and the initiation of relevant transport legislation.
H.E. Petra Drexler, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, also addressed the event, reaffirming Germany’s support for the region’s green transition through financial and technical assistance via the German Development Bank (KfW) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
“Germany has already committed over €500 million in short- and medium-term support, as well as an additional €1 billion by 2030 for investments in green energy infrastructure, through the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans – a mechanism through which we align the Berlin Process with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans,” Ambassador Drexler highlighted.
This meeting, jointly organised by the Transport Community and GIZ, highlights the key role of parliamentary involvement in climate governance.
