Round Table
Slovenia – Austria Cross-Border Mura River Bridge Round Table
After more than 76 years, it’s about time that we re-establish Slovenia – Austria cross-border bridge over the Mura River.

Date, Time & Format
Friday, 14.5. 2021
9:00 - 12:00
Streamed Live Online]
Mission of the Round Table
Formal handover of the Declaration on the Mura's Bridge in the Mura-Drava-Rails Network
Slovenia - Austria Cross-Border Mura River Bridge round table has a very special mission. At the end of the round table, we will solemnly hand over the Declaration on the Mura's Bridge in the Mura-Drava-Rails Network to the representatives of the responsible ministers from Slovenia and Austria. Later in May, we will hand over the Declaration also to the European Commissioner for Transport and Mobility.
All with a mission to convince the authorities to re-establish two critical missing links – cross-border Mura's Bridge is one of them – in an estimated length of only 12 railway kilometres to fully regain the 440 and more railway kilometres that regions, cities, and people in the Mura and Drava river regions had already back in 1924.
Animated Video Presentation
Declaration on the Mura's Bridge in the Mura-Drava-Rails Network
(English, with subtitles in English; .mp4; 6:15 min; 23 MB)
Language & Translations
Online Bilingual Round Table
The round table will take place in an online form, bilingually in Slovene and German. Subsequently, all contributions of the round table will also be published, also with subtitles in English.
The introductory lecture by Dr. Janez Potočnik will be in English and published later with subtitles in English, Slovene, and German.
Round Table Keynotes
Keynote Speakers
Besides key stakeholders in Mura and Drava river regions, Mura's Bridge round table has three distinguished speakers that will introduce their topic, which will be subsequently discussed at the round table.
Janez Potočnik
Miro Kristan
Marko Savić
Director of the Institute
Discussion
Discussion at the Mura River Bridge round table
Key stakeholders from policy, economy, railways and civil society will discuss the importance of the re-establishment of Mura-Drava-Rails between not only Slovenia and Austria but also Croatia and Hungary, whereby cross-border Mura' Bridge presents the critical missing link.
Introductory presentation
Discussion after the presentation by Dr. Janez Potočnik : A System Change Compass (report summary)
A System Change Compass - Implementing the European Green Deal in a time of recovery [Summary]
The European Green Deal provides a timely North Star for a prosperous and sustainable Europe. However, as a political programme that bridges old and new theories of change, it is vulnerable. This report lays out an integrated systems perspective, based on a System Change Compass.
Never since the formation of the European Union has there been a better moment for Europe to transform itself on the inside and to lead on the outside. The European Green Deal (EGD) and a European COVID-19 response can – if handled well – address Europe’s climate, biodiversity, pollution, economic, political and health crises, and at the same time strengthen its institutions and reignite popular support for the European project. Efforts that, in their own way, support the EU’s delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Europe’s history is rich and full of turning points. The ongoing COVID-19 crisis may well be such a turning point.
First, our global and tightly coupled human-ecological system is failing. After decades of economic growth evaluated against GDP indicators, societal needs are still unmet, economic gains are shared unequally and the social contract is eroding.
Second, deep transformational change is needed, and we now know that when faced with an emergency, people and societies can make change work.
Third, we recognise that we struggle to bring this transformational vision to life. Business-as-usual proponents criticise the EGD as unaffordable or untimely.
Europe’s determination for a green and social recovery through a robust EGD sets the direction for a more sustainable, low-carbon, equitable and inclusive economy. By treating the EGD and COVID-19 crisis recovery as two sides of the same coin, the European Commission is demonstrating genuine leadership. This report is written at a critical juncture for the EGD’s success and, ultimately, for its implementation across European Member States.
Programme
Programme of the Mura River Bridge Round Table
Mura River Bridge Round Table programme has three parts. We are more than pleased to present an introductory speaker – the twofold former European Commissioner, Dr. Janez Potočnik. In the main part of the round table, our new colleague from the Organizational unit for Environment, Space, and Countryside at Soča Valley Development Centre in Tolmin, Miro Kristan, will present the case study of the Bohinj railway line, including the railway connection of the cities of Nova Gorica and Gorica at the border of Slovenia and Italy. Not least, in the final part of the round table, we will solemnly hand over Declaration on the Mura's Bridge in the Mura-Drava-Rails Network to the representatives of the responsible ministers for infrastructure and mobility in the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Austria, respectively.
Timetable
Time | Contribution |
---|---|
9:00 – 9:30 | Dr Janez Potočnik: Implementing the European Green Deal in a time of recovery |
9:30 – 10:15 | Discussion |
10:15 – 10:30 | Break |
10:30 – 10:45 | Miro Kristan: Case Study of the Bohinj Railway Line |
10:45 – 11:30 | Discussion |
11:30 – 12:00 | Solemn handing over of the Declaration on the Mura's Bridge in the Mura-Drava-Rails network |
SUPPORT FOR THE MURA RIVER BRIDGE
Support statements to the Declaration on the Mura's Bridge in the Mura-Drava-Rails Network
Founders, members, and partners of the institute Mobilitatis Omni, Murska Sobota have been the first to sign the Declaration on the Mura's Bridge in the Mura-Drava-Rails Network and state their support to reforming the cross-border Slovenia – Austria Mura River Bridge.

Miran Fujs

Janez Smolkovič

We have been working for more than 30 years to re-establish the railway between Slovenia and Austria over the border river Mura between the two friendly neighbouring countries
Janez Erjavec

The railway connection with Austria across the border river Mura represents an exceptional opportunity for the economy and tourism in all Mura and Drava regions
Igor Kržan

Stanislav Rojko

Franz Weintögl

Peter Kronberger

Agnes Totter

Vera Šinko

Janez Potočnik

Robert Grah

Andrej Steyer

Impact of one cross-border bridge
Mura River Bridge
Last but not least. Love locks on the bridge as universal symbols of love.
Round Table Registration
Membership, Registration & Donation
We take seriously our responsibility to serve the public good, to consider the health and well-being of our participants, and to protect the communities we work with and in. Our Mura River Bridge round table will be held completely online.
We offer free registration for new members of our MBTT Club, a discount for early registration to attend the round table online and the possibility to contribute to our cause and help us cover the costs of organisation by contributing a donation of your choice.
After more than 76 years, it’s about time that we re-establish Slovenia – Austria Cross-Border Bridge over the Mura River.
At the online celebrational signing of the Mura’s Bridge Declaration, dr. Abramović has presented the case of the regional railway line.
Herald Ruijters’, from the European Commission, intervention on mobility beyond the TEN-T.
Director of the Institute Mobilitatis Omni, Marko Savić, solemnly presented the Declaration on the Mura’s Bridge.