Balkans | Serbia is building a high-speed train line Belgrade and Nice with the support of the European Union

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the Belgrade-Nice high-speed train line project, with the support of the European Union, will connect his country to Istanbul, Athens and Thessaloniki.

Vucic, who met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Affairs Oliver Varhelyi at the train station in the capital, Belgrade, signed the first investment package of 600 million euros for the Belgrade-Nice high-speed train project with the support of the European Union, within the scope of the meeting. I stay on the train.

Vucic said, at the press conference held at the train station after the signing ceremony, that they met with Varheli on one of the largest projects to be implemented in Serbia, “The value of the project is 2 billion 775 million euros in total. The European Union provides us with support of 610 million euros. We have allocated 525 million euros from the Serbian budget. The remaining amount will be financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) at favorable interest rates.

Noting that Nis, located in southern Serbia, will have a high-speed train connection with the capital, Belgrade, Vucic noted, “However, Nis will be connected not only with Belgrade, but also with Istanbul, Athens and Thessaloniki. Nis will be only 1 hour and 40 minutes away from Belgrade At present, it takes 2.5 hours by car and 6 hours by train.” He said.

Vucic thanked the European Union for its contribution.

Varheli also mentioned that they made a short train trip for the progress of the Belgrade-Nice high-speed train project, adding: “This train line will allow opening new workplaces and making new investments in Serbia.” He said.

It was reported that the construction of the Belgrade-Nice high-speed train line project is scheduled to start in 2024.

Varheli also met Prime Minister Ana Brnabić as part of his contacts in Belgrade.

AA