Romania and Serbia have traditionally maintained close and friendly relations, which in recent years have increasingly developed into concrete economic, infrastructure and sectoral cooperation.
Bilateral trade has reached €2.7 billion, while projects in the areas of energy, transport, navigation and cross-border cooperation have created additional opportunities for connecting the two countries.
Silvia Davidoiu, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Serbia, speaks to EUpravo zato about opportunities to further enhance bilateral relations, key infrastructure projects, trade, energy, the importance of the Danube and cooperation between local communities.
From traditionally close relations to concrete results
Romania and Serbia have traditionally enjoyed very good relations. What would you highlight as the greatest achievements in our bilateral cooperation over the past several years?
"Our greatest achievement has been turning traditionally close relations into increasingly concrete cooperation, supported by dynamic political and sectoral dialogue. Bilateral trade in goods reached €2.7 billion in 2025. It remained largely balanced, while the full commissioning of the Reșița-Pančevo electricity interconnection in January 2025 significantly increased cross-border transmission capacity, to up to 1,000 MW.
The Interreg IPA Programme, worth €87.7 million, also supports joint projects in numerous areas, benefiting local communities on both sides of the border.
Serbia has also been among the most significant recipients of Romania’s official development assistance in recent years, with the majority of funding and projects focused on education.
Romania equally values the continuous cooperation between our institutions and supports Serbia’s integration into the EU. Romania is also ready to share its experience and lessons learned from its own accession negotiations, in line with Serbia’s needs and tailored to them."
Infrastructure as the foundation for connectivity
Good connectivity is not only a matter of faster travel or more efficient transport, but also one of the prerequisites for stronger economic and regional ties. For Serbia and Romania, as neighbouring countries, improving transport infrastructure creates an opportunity for existing links to develop into longer-term and more substantive forms of cooperation.
You often speak about the importance of improving connectivity between Romania and Serbia. Which infrastructure projects do you see as the most promising?
"The most transformative project is the A9 Timișoara-Moravița motorway and its planned extension via Vatin and Vršac towards Pančevo and Belgrade. At the same time, modernizing the Timișoara-Vršac-Pančevo railway line, increasing freight traffic and re-establishing reliable international passenger services would bring significant economic benefits and encourage people-to-people contacts.
We should also improve navigation on the Bega Canal and enhance its connectivity with the Tisa and Danube rivers. The basic requirement is to coordinate planning, technical standards and construction timelines on both sides of the border, particularly through enhanced dialogue between the ministries and companies involved in these projects.
At the same time, developing regional connectivity is becoming increasingly important in the current, highly complex geopolitical context, and Romania has included this issue among the main priorities of its current chairmanship of the Central European Initiative and the South-East European Cooperation Process."
Trade and room for new investment
How would you describe the current level of trade between our two countries? What could make it easier for companies on both sides of the border to do business and attract new investment?
"Serbia is our largest trading partner in the Western Balkans. Bilateral trade is strong and well balanced, reaching €2.7 billion in goods in 2025 — €1.4 billion in Serbian exports and €1.3 billion in imports. Nevertheless, the size and complementarity of our economies indicate that there is still significant room for growth.
"Serbia should not be viewed solely as a user of Constanța, but as a hub for consolidation and distribution serving the wider Western Balkans region."
Faster border procedures, digital documentation, improved transport links and greater harmonization of technical and sanitary standards would reduce costs for companies. Regular business forums, including those supported by chambers of commerce and chambers of industry, as well as joint initiatives in energy, the agri-food sector, the automotive industry, logistics and the IT sector, could also generate new investment."
The Port of Constanța and the Danube
Serbia’s links with the Black Sea region have a long history, and for centuries the Danube has been one of the most important natural transport routes connecting Central Europe with the Black Sea. Today, this geographical advantage can also be viewed through the lens of modern logistics chains and trade flows, in which the Port of Constanța has the potential to connect Serbia with broader European and global markets.
The Port of Constanța is becoming one of the most important logistics hubs in this part of Europe. How can Serbia make better use of its potential, and what role do you see for Serbia in this transport network?
"Serbia could benefit from regular and commercially predictable connections with Constanța, both along the Danube-Black Sea Canal and through rail-based intermodal services. Dedicated terminal capacity, block trains, digital customs procedures and stronger links with Serbian inland ports and logistics centres would make this route more competitive.
Serbia should not be viewed solely as a user of Constanța, but as a hub for consolidation and distribution serving the wider Western Balkans region. This would strengthen the resilience of supply chains for both countries and provide Serbian companies with additional access to Black Sea markets and global markets."
The Danube is a shared resource connecting our two countries. How important are projects such as removing navigation obstacles near Prahovo for regional trade and European transport corridors?
"These are strategic European transport projects, not merely local interventions. The removal of 21 shipwrecks near Prahovo is aimed at eliminating a five-kilometre-long bottleneck, which becomes particularly restrictive and hazardous during periods of low water levels.
Safer and more predictable navigation reduces logistics costs and supports the shift of freight from roads to a more sustainable mode of transport.
It is of crucial importance to maintain close coordination regarding navigation, hydrological data and environmental protection along our shared stretch of the Danube. This summer was particularly challenging due to the exceptionally low Danube flows, and we appreciated the timely feedback from the Serbian side."
Energy and regional security
Romania and Serbia share many interests in the energy sector. Which areas offer the greatest potential for stronger cooperation?
"Our long-standing cooperation on the Iron Gates hydropower system provides a strong foundation, while the fully operational Reșița-Pančevo electricity interconnection has created new opportunities for electricity exchange and the integration of renewable energy.
The proposed BRUA-Mokrin gas interconnector could provide bidirectional capacity of at least 1.6 billion cubic metres per year, contributing to diversification and regional energy security. I would also mention the strategic Neptun Deep offshore project, which will begin production next year, making gas connectivity between our countries even more significant.
We should also cooperate on storage, balancing capacities, energy efficiency and the gradual integration of electricity markets. Any new hydropower initiative, including Iron Gates III, should be jointly and comprehensively assessed, taking into account the energy, navigation, environmental and operational implications through effective information exchange."
Cooperation that connects people
You often say that strong relations are built not only by governments, but also by people. How can we further strengthen cooperation between cities and municipalities along the border?
"Romania and Serbia have historical ties that have developed regardless of challenges and political considerations. Similar traditions in our countries and vibrant minority communities have contributed to our special friendship and mutual understanding.
Youth exchanges, as well as school, university and minority-community exchanges, remain particularly important because they provide bilateral relations with a lasting human foundation, enriching our friendship and mutual understanding while also providing insight into concrete needs and activities related to ensuring all specific rights provided for by relevant international legal instruments.
At the same time, municipalities should move beyond occasional exchanges and begin developing multi-year partnerships based on concrete local needs. These could include joint services for emergency response, environmental protection, healthcare, education, tourism routes, cultural heritage and support for small businesses.
Interreg already provides a valuable financial framework, as well as a framework for developing a shared vision of development, but municipalities also need permanent project teams and direct channels for exchanging expertise. I am confident that major upcoming events, such as EXPO 2027 Belgrade, will provide numerous opportunities in this regard."
(EUpravo zato.rs)