On the October 10th 2017., a conference "Together with EU funds - for better transport connectivity" was held in Brussels in the premises of European Parliament. The conference was opened by the head of the Croatian EPP Delegation Dubravka Šuica, the president of Dubrovnik-Neretva Region Nikola Dobroslavić, the president of Brod-Posavina Region Danijel Marušić and Deputy President of Vukovar-Srijem Region Damir Barna.
The main focus of the conference was the trans-European transport networks and cross-border transport connectivity, as the transport connectivity is a key prerequisite for economic and overall development of all EU regions. Moreover, transport networks are particularly important for those areas that have insufficient transport connections such as the South East Europe and the Republic of Croatia. That is why everyone, and especially the European Commission, should support projects in South East Europe and Adriatic-Ionian region in developing better transport links. Of particular interest are the Adriatic-Ionian highways, the fast railway Ravenna - Brindisi, the Corridor VC, the modernization of the railway network in Croatia, sea and air connectivity of Adriatic and Ionian Sea, and better transport connectivity to the islands - said President of Dubrovnik-Neretva Region Nikola Dobroslavić while giving closing remarks.
The speakers in panel " The Importance of Transport Connectivity in Supporting Regional Economic Development " were Deputy Director-General for Mobility and Transport - DG MOVE Maja Bakran, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia to the EU Goran Štefanić, State Secretary of the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia Tomislav Mihotić and the Vice-president for construction, transport and connections Croatian Chamber of Economy Mirjana Čagalj.
The conference was attended by 100 participants from EU institutions, regional development agencies and representatives of European regions.