Varhelyi: Europe delivers results

BELGRADE - EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said on Tuesday in Belgrade the signing of an agreement on the first tranche of an EU grant for the construction of a Belgrade-Nis high-speed rail line was important for Serbia and the entire Western Balkan region and demonstrated that Europe delivered results.

In an address after the signing ceremony, Varhelyi said the rail line would be a large development project for the whole region and that the investment would total 4 bln euros, including a 600 mln euro grant from the EU.

He said the project could change the reality on the ground for Serbians and people across the region and bring new jobs and much-needed investments to the south of Serbia, as well as a "new Serbia."

He noted that the rail line should create an extended trade route as well as allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 200 kph.