Belgrade gets first metro line 15 kilometers long as early as in 2017 - France's Alstom Transport to build city railway system

(Bozidar Djelic, Pierre Lellouche, Dragan Djilas)

The city of Belgrade and the governments of Serbia and France signed Friday (18 November 2011) documents for the implementation of one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the country - the Belgrade metro. Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry of France Pierre Lellouche, and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations Bozidar Djelic signed a statement of intent between the city of Belgrade and France's Alstom Transport. This signing ceremony was also attended by Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.

– The citizens of Belgrade have been dreaming about the city metro for 40 years. They are making plans and believe that they will some day be able to use this form of transport to quickly go from one part of the city to the other, like most people in Europe do. We have also been dreaming about a new bridge for 40 years, and that dream has come true. Many other dreams about the development of Belgrade have also been fulfilled over the past few years. All that is the best proof that the Belgrade metro is not going to remain only a dream - said Mayor Djilas expressing his gratitude to the Government of the Republic of France for participating in this project.

- The company Alstom is one of the world's largest companies in that field - Djilas said and added that Alstom, the Government of France and the city of Belgrade were the best guarantee that "all intentions and ideas will be implemented in the years to come."

(a vehicle made by Alstom)

State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry of France Pierre Lellouche pointed out that connections between Serbia and France were very strong and over hundred years old.

– This metro represents much more than just a means of transportation in a city. It is a new page in the history of your country, and that is not only a reflection of the modern time, but also a proof of cooperation with Europe. After many difficult years for you, France now offers Serbia a significant financial support, which will enable the implementation of the new project. Our idea is to try to bring as many French companies as possible to open their branch offices and operate in Serbia, and we are currently ranked eighth on the list of the top foreign investors in Serbia – Mr. Lellouche stressed.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations Bozidar Djelic said that there was no strong Serbia without strong Belgrade and no successful country without a dynamic, powerful capital city.

– For a balanced regional development, Serbia needs engines, both infrastructure and economic ones. The metro project will make Belgrade one of these engines. Therefore, the Government of the Republic of Serbia has decided to back this project by providing the city of Belgrade with necessary guarantees. This is a great opportunity for companies from all around the country. France grants EUR 3.8 million for necessary studies and offers guarantees for the system and part of construction works, enabling us to get extremely favorable funding terms for the project implementation - said Djelic.

- Under these market circumstances, it is a loan with the repayment period of 15 years, the grace period of five years, and the average interest rate of 5 percent, which is similar to the best terms offered to Serbia by international finance institutions - the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister specified.

The plan is to implement the study, which will be prepared by France's EGIS Rail in association with domestic subcontractors, in two stages: as an overall concept, and as a preliminary design for the line No. 1 of the Belgrade metro. This Y-shaped line should be about 15 kilometers long and include 25 stations. There will also be a bilateral task force, formed with the aim of supervising the preparation of the study for the general concept and the preliminary design, Beoinfo reports.

(Djelic delivering a speech)

The citizens of Belgrade may be able to use the first metro line, which should connect the central parts of the city, Ustanicka street - new Mercator and Tvornicka street on one side, and the Railway Station - New Belgrade on the other side, as early as in 2017.

Introduction of the metro system in Belgrade will significantly contribute to the improvement of the efficiency of public transport and the enhancement of the quality of life of citizens and business and economic environment, which are preconditions for sustainable economic development of both Belgrade and Serbia as a whole.

Alstom Group is the world's leading company in the field of application and expansion of innovative and ecologically desirable technologies for the sectors of energy, transport and energy transfer. This group operates in about 100 countries. Alstom is ranked second in the world in the field of city transport, and its metro systems are in use in Paris, London, New York, Caracas, Singapore, and Shanghai. Every fourth metro train in the world is produced by Alstom, and this company also produces a new generation of trams - Citadis, which are in use in 36 countries worldwide.