Russian loan-funded overhaul of Corridor 10 rail line

Russian loan-funded overhaul of Corridor 10 rail line

The works on the 17.7 km section, worth RSD 10.5 million, were funded from a Russian loan, as is reconstruction of two other sections on the same route.

Trains can now travel at speeds up to 120 km/h on this stretch of the rail line.

In his address, Vucic "expressed gratitude to Russia, and said that the two countries can continue even better and more successful cooperation in all fields," the Serbian government said, adding that the prime minister also said he was confident "we will sign more contracts with the Russian side, given the demonstrated quality and efficiency."

Vucic said that there was "still much work to be done" and mentioned that in addition to the three southern sections, another 80 km of tracks are missing for average train speed to be 100 km/h,"which would make Serbian railways competitive to European countries."

The prime minister - who on Friday launched his presidential campaign with a rally held later in the day in Vranje - also addressed other topics, and, according to the government's website, confirmed that investing in a number of spas in Serbia was discussed with "one of the biggest and richest investors in the world."

"I am talking about a solution for Vranjska Spa and yesterday I had important talks with powerful investors for Bujanovacka, Sijarinska, Niska and Zvonce spas," he said.

Speaking about the situation in the region, Vucic "stressed that Serbia managed in the past and will manage in the future to preserve stability, which is essential for numerous projects, such as this one."

He "expressed special gratitude to Russia for its support of our country in preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty."

Speaking during the ceremony, Sergei Pavlov, CEO of Russia's RZD International, which is carrying out railway projects in Serbia with local firms, said that Russian and the Serbian railway companies "can also work together outside Serbia."

"The joint experience we have gained and the foundations of the brotherhood we have pledged will be very much needed in the future, when, as we are planning and hoping, we will be working outside Serbia as well," Pavlov said, according to Tanjug.