European Commission welcomes high-level Western Balkans road safety experts for joint event

Today, the European Commission welcomed road safety experts from the six Western Balkans regional partners, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence), Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia along with representatives of the Transport Community to discuss progress in implementing the EU road safety acquis in the Western Balkans and to review developments regarding road safety in the region.

In particular, the group discussed progress regarding implementation of the action plan on road safety in the Western Balkans. The Commission gave a state of play of planned proposals to revise rules on driving licenses, the cross-border enforcement of road traffic rules, and vehicle roadworthiness.

The partners from the Western Balkans also had the opportunity to visit the Belgian road safety institute, VIAS, for an introduction to its knowledge institute and a hands-on introduction to its work in assessing medical fitness to drive, adherence to drink-driving rules, and the testing of helmets.