The recommendations form part of a broader European plan to connect major cities through faster, more reliable rail services, with the aim of reducing travel times and improving international transport links. The proposed network would include trains capable of travelling at speeds of 200 kilometres per hour or more, alongside upgrades to existing railway infrastructure and better coordination between national rail systems.
The plans also include countries in the Western Balkans, extending beyond current EU member states. According to the proposed timeline, Belgrade could be connected to Zagreb by 2035, while links to Ljubljana are envisaged by 2040.
Other planned connections would link Serbia with Budapest, Sofia, Skopje, Sarajevo and Thessaloniki, strengthening regional mobility and cross-border cooperation.
Delivering the network will require substantial investment and coordination among European countries. The European Commission has estimated that completing the planned trans-European high-speed rail network by 2040 would require around €345 billion. If implemented, the expansion could significantly improve passenger travel across Europe, although the timeline will depend on funding, infrastructure development and progress in individual countries.
