“Today's event marks the beginning of a challenging process, namely the modernisation of the railway link between Ljubljana and Zagreb, which is undoubtedly of great importance for both countries and for the cross-border integration of the territory and the people along the Slovenian-Croatian border,” said Minister Jevšek.

This grouping proves that living along the border can be an opportunity, said Minister Jevšek, congratulating all those who have contributed, in any way, to the establishment of the first European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation with its headquarters located in Slovenia.

The association brings together 13 partners from both sides of the border to benefit directly from EU funding in the project to modernise the railway link from Ljubljana to Zagreb, said Gregor Macedoni, Mayor of Novo mesto.

Šime Erlić, Croatian Minister for Regional Development and EU Funds, added that the grouping is another proof of the good cooperation between Slovenia and Croatia and the need to respond to the needs of people in border areas.

European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation is an EU legal instrument established to facilitate cross-border cooperation and thus strengthen the economic, social and territorial development of border regions. It enables the implementation of joint development projects, services, exchange of expertise, better coordination of spatial planning and, above all, equal opportunities for institutions on both sides of the border.