SEETO Comprehensive Network, Critical Analysis of Principles and Developing Prospects
Getting closer to EU standards in the field of transportation in countries of the South East Europe Transport Observatory (SEETO) region among other things is conditioned by the improvement of the transport infrastructure. One of the reasons there is less improvement in the transport infrastructure lies in the fact that EU is basing its infrastructure development plans on the long-term strategic goals, while within SEETO regions they are still insisting on the short term, five-year planning without clearly defined long-term strategic goals. Another problem is the exclusion of the existing infrastructural objects (roads and already developed modern border crossings) from the SEETO Comprehensive Network. Long-term plans of SEETO network should encompass also the existing roads as well as future infrastructural projects, which will improve the current transportation network in this region. Short-term; five-year plans within SEETO region cannot contribute to a significant inclusion of this region into the European transportation market. More advanced approach of countries in SEETO region to EU standards in the field of transport infrastructure is possible only if the EU also accepts the fact that the same principles of long-term strategic planning of transport infrastructure need to be applied within SEETO.