TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT POLICY AND HARMONIZING EXTERNAL TRADE BY MODE OF TRANSPORT: MACEDONIAN CASE

TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT POLICY AND HARMONIZING EXTERNAL TRADE BY MODE OF TRANSPORT: MACEDONIAN CASE

Riste , Temjanovski

There is a growing imbalance between modes of transport in all over the world. The increasing success of road and air transport is resulting in ever worsening congestion, while, paradoxically, failure to exploit the full potential of rail. But saturation in certain parts of the European Union must not blind us to the fact that outlying areas have inadequate access to central markets. In this context the main engagement in the trans-European policy is to pursue the optimization of the interregional transport services at the European level through a multimodal approach and interoperability for each transport mode. Coherent transport policy can contribute to reduction of the budget expenses for the transport sector by providing the conditions for efficient management of infrastructure or the instruments for internalization and reduction of transport external costs. For Macedonia case, transport plays essential role for economic development. Regional co-operation in Western Balkans is of even greater importance today. From a commercial point of view, the Union is the main trading partner for Western Balkans, and its business cooperation with these countries has increased in importance. But, one mode of transport is consistently predominant. Road transport was the main mode of transport used for trade with European countries. The analysis of external trade shows that road transport was by far the most used mode of transport for trade with 92% by value. But in terms of volume, this accounted for 89% over the five years. Also showing a higher percentage in terms of volume than value, rail transport accounted only between 12-20% by volume and between 5-10% by value. In addition, the Republic of Macedonia should take advantage of its position, harmonize all transport modes, because such as South-East European country, it is at intersection of routes to Balkans, Mediterranean and Caspian Region and Asia. Corridors VIII and X are expected to be ones of the impulses to generate economic development among countries of Western Balkans. Sustainable transport is an enormously complex and dynamic subject, and it can be concluded that the transport system in this region can be improved by favoring those transport modes which are more effective and environmentally friendly. Key words: sustainable transport, sustainable development, transport modes, road transport, external trade, Western Balkans

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2012-05-31

1357