Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – At the EU-Western Balkans Investment Forum held in Tirana, the European Commission, GÉANT, and 4iG Group, which controls One Montenegro, signed a joint declaration confirming their shared commitment to advancing secure, high-capacity digital infrastructure.

 

According to a press release from One, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening EU connectivity across the Western Balkans region.

 

In the declaration, the EU partners expressed their continued support for the EAGLE (Egypt-Albania Gateway Link to Europe) submarine data cable investment connecting Albania and Egypt, along with the development of the associated and newly announced regional terrestrial digital backbone.

 

“Taken together, these two investments will establish a new digital corridor linking the Western Balkans with Europe’s main data hubs, ensuring secure, high-capacity, and low-latency connectivity,” the press release reads.

 

CEO of 4iG Group Peter Fekete that when the company arrived in Albania three years ago, they adopted a motto that still holds true today: “we build bridges.” 

 

“EAGLE is one of the most significant of these initiatives, bringing international data capacity closer to local markets and interconnecting data centres, cloud services, and the broader digital ecosystem across Africa, the Middle East, the Western Balkans, and the European Union,” said Fekete. 

 

He added that he support of the European Commission and GÉANT is a clear indication that these projects represent strategic investments for the European Union, while also strengthening the Western Balkans’ role in shaping the continent’s digital future.

 

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) welcomed the EAGLE initiative as a flagship project, aligned with the objectives of the EU’s Digital Decade 2030, the Global Gateway Strategy, and the EU Western Balkans Growth Plan.

 

According to the press release, the planned terrestrial backbone network will enhance connectivity quality, reduce costs, strengthen research and education networks, and provide the foundation for innovation, the deployment of artificial intelligence applications, and growth of the startup ecosystem across the region.

 

“Implementation of the project will be fully consistent with the EU 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox, ensuring the security and resilience of digital networks in the Western Balkans,” the press release reads.

 

The press release notes that the Western Balkans remains one of the least connected regions in Europe, with limited cross-border infrastructure.

 

“Through the EAGLE project, 4iG Group aims to unlock new opportunities for businesses, academia, and the public sector, supporting the EU’s objectives for digital inclusion and economic resilience,” the press release states.

The 2,000-kilometre subsea system is expected to become operational by 2028, providing route diversity and network redundancy to enhance resilience and reinforce Europe’s digital sovereignty.