The European Union’s Western Balkans Investment Framework initiative: transport infrastructure development and its impacts

Abstract

The purpose of this Article is to present the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) initiative of the European Union (EU) for the economic and social development of the 6 Western Balkan countries which are still not a member of the EU while being surrounded by EU Member States only. The initiative finances through grants studies, and through the blending of grants and loans the implementation of infrastructure projects in 5 sectors, among which transportation is the one that absorbs the highest proportion of  grants for projects with big budgets. The Article investigates the population and urbanization patters in 6 Western Balkan countries and indicates the role of rail transportation though the implementation of highspeed lines in the creation of a new megalopolis in southeastern Europe.