Corridor 10

• Corridor 10

Corridor 10

FIMEK at an international conference: “Corridor 10 within the framework of  social development of Serbia"

The Center for Strategic Research and National Security, together with the German Hans Zaidel Foundation, organized a three-day international conference with the topic: “Corridor 10 within the framework of social development of Serbia“. Around 40 domestic and international academics, researchers and experts in different fields analyzed and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the currently biggest development project in Serbia. A professor at FIMEK and Center director, Mr. Slobodan Nešković, PhD, emphasized that motorway and railway construction of Corridor 10 represents a significant part of vital national importance for the Republic of Serbia. Economic diplomats and all relevant experts in the country play a crucial role in the implementation of this project. According to him, all country officials starting from the Serbian President and Prime Minister to all responsible ministers need to emphasize the importance of Corridor 10 and competitive advantages of Serbian economy outside Serbia’s borders. The importance of Corridor 10 and construction of high quality infrastructure is, according to Prof. Nešković, also obvious if we think of the FIAT Company, which has made its investment in the Kragujevac Zastava contingent upon motorway construction. This was at the same time a clause in a contract signed between Serbia and the Italian car manufacturer FIAT.  

Corridor 10 is a Pan-European road which goes through eight countries. In Serbia it connects 12 districts and the city of Belgrade. The fact that over 40% of Serbian population lives in the area of Corridor 10 was brought up at the CESNA-b and Hans Zaidel Foundation conference and it only proves the Corridor’s strategic importance for Serbia. This transport framework encompasses 21.4% of the territory of Serbia, 95% of which goes through agricultural land. Nine cities together with numerous monuments of cultural, historic and natural significance are also on the Corridor 10 route. According to Professor Srđan Nikezić, the Corridor 10 construction opens new possibilities and perspectives for tourism development in this region.
Professor Milutin Đurić pointed out the necessity of team work in Corridor 10 project realization, whereas Mr. Božidar Mihajlović spoke about its economic aspects and Professor Dragan Bataveljić stressed its legal and political implications.

Nevertheless, the Corridor 10 construction creates some harmful effects, too. According to Mr. Milan Milošević, a professor at Crime Police Academy in Belgrade, Corridor 10 could also be endangered by ethnic and religious terrorism, which presents a direct threat to peace in the Western Balkans.

Professors Zorka Jugović and Miodrag Pantelić indicated that Corridor 10 also poses a serious threat to environment, in terms of increased noise and air pollution, while academician Rade Biočanin drew attention to the dangers of hazardous materials transportation and spoke about the necessity for clearly defined legal framework.

Conclusions and suggested solutions given at this international conference organized by CESNA-b and Hans Zaidel Foundation will be passed on to responsible national institutions and government bodies in Serbia.