COPENHAGEN – The Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community recently organised a study visit to the European Environment Agency (EEA) in Copenhagen on 26-27 November, bringing together representatives of transport ministries, road authorities, and environmental agencies from the Western Balkans, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The study visit enhanced understanding of environmentally sensitive road projects and strengthen collaboration aimed at achieving goals set in the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy.
The visit provided participants with valuable insights into the EEA’s role in integrating environmental considerations into transport and energy systems. It also marked the first step toward closer cooperation between the EEA and the Western Balkans, focusing on the adoption of EU standards and sustainable practices in infrastructure projects.
On the second day, participants attended a training session led by JASPERS, the European Investment Bank’s advisory programme. The session focused on EU procedures, rules, and standards for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA). The participants explored the gaps between EU and regional frameworks and learned from case studies that highlighted practical challenges and solutions in environmental assessments.
This session also provided a platform for sharing experiences, challenges, and lessons learned from implementing road projects with a focus on environmental sustainability.
The study visit is part of the Transport Community’s ongoing efforts to support the Western Balkans in aligning with EU standards in road transport. It also contributes to raising awareness of the environmental impact of infrastructure projects and encouraging sustainable practices.
