The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania organized the Economic Forum titled “Strategic Connectivity and Regional Economic Growth: The Economic Potential of Corridor VIII,” aimed at assessing the outcomes of the Ministerial Forum on Corridor VIII and advancing dialogue on the corridor’s strategic importance for the region and Europe.

Discussions highlighted Corridor VIII as a key instrument for European integration, economic development, and regional stability, underlining the need to reposition it within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) architecture and to move from a politically significant concept to a fully recognized European priority for planning, financing, and implementation. In this context, the role of Albania as a major east–west hub and Adriatic gateway was emphasized, together with the corridor’s contribution to national and regional economic development and strengthened cooperation within European processes.

The forum also underscored the importance of multimodal infrastructure and sustainable logistics along Corridor VIII in generating long-term economic value, enhancing regional competitiveness, and supporting the European Union’s green transition objectives. Transport and logistics were addressed as platforms for industrial, trade, and territorial development, linking economic growth with climate sustainability and territorial cohesion.

Particular attention was devoted to the geopolitical and security relevance of Corridor VIII, considered a strategic asset for Southeast Europe that contributes to regional stability, strategic resilience, and the secure mobility of goods, energy, and people. Discussions highlighted the need to protect critical infrastructure and strengthen institutional and civil-military coordination in response to emerging geopolitical risks and security challenges.

Furthermore, the forum emphasized the importance of mobilizing and coordinating European and international financing instruments to accelerate the implementation of priority projects along the corridor, with a focus on bridging the gap between strategic political commitments and concrete investments. In this regard, participants stressed the objective of developing Corridor VIII into a fully functional, resilient, and multimodal corridor aligned with EU enlargement priorities, TEN-T standards, and regional economic development goals.

The Economic Forum reaffirmed the shared commitment of institutional stakeholders and international partners to advancing Corridor VIII as a strategic connectivity project contributing to economic growth, regional cooperation, and long-term stability in Southeast Europe.