Corridor VIII, a strategic necessity - Tajani: Strategic priority for our economies. Ministerial takes place in Tirana
The forum of foreign ministers of the countries through which Corridor VIII passes (Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania, as well as Italy) was held in Tirana. According to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, the real challenge now is the status of this corridor within the European transport network.
"As long as key segments of Corridor VIII remain outside the TEN-T core network, the corridor cannot attract the level of funding and political priority it deserves. It remains strategically important, but financially secondary. The next step is therefore clear. Corridor VIII should be accepted within the core network or the extended core network of the TEN-T. This decision would unlock funding, synchronise investments and turn this corridor into a true European priority. This is not a question of special treatment. It is a question of strategic logic. Europe cannot talk about sustainability, expansion and strategic autonomy while leaving its only southern east-west axis outside its core transport network."
In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani, emphasized that Corridor VIII is part of the strategy for the unification of the Balkans with the EU.
"Even for the Italians, Corridor VIII is not just a technical choice, it is a political choice because this part of our strategy for the unification of the Balkans, is a strategic priority for the Italian government, we will do our utmost to help you become part of the EU and I am clear about the Western Balkans. On March 30, we will have a group of friends of the Balkans to affirm support for the unification of the region.
The joint declaration that we will adopt will convey a strong message, Corridor 8 is a common strategic priority for our economies. We are committed to taking concrete steps to realize it. It is key for trade, for Italy trade is more or less 40% of our GDP. Our objective is to increase exports, for this we will work hard. The potential for economic activity between the Adriatic and the Balkans is extraordinary.
"Today more than ever, the completion of Corridor VIII is a key security objective, it is an instrument to strengthen the European pillar of NATO," Tajani said.
According to him, if we want to be more important, if we want to talk to the Americans on the same level, we need to strengthen the European pillar of NATO.
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