- Published: 18.10.2017.
Croatian PM writes to EC president, Bosnian PM about Peljesac Bridge
The construction of the Peljesac Bridge is a lasting solution to the Croatian and European territorial discontinuity at the Neum corridor and in that process, Bosnia and Herzegovina's legitimate interests will remain intact, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in a letter to the European Commission president and Bosnia and Herzegovina officials.
The PM's office said in a statement on Wednesday evening that in his letter to EC President Jean-Claude Juncker Plenkovic reported about steps taken by Croatia regarding the project to connect by a road southern Dalmatia and the mainland.
The project is being implemented in consultation with the EC and in dialogue with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Plenkovic recalled.
He reiterated that Croatia has the right to build the bridge on its territory and that in that process, all rights and legitimate interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a coastal country will remain unharmed.
Plenkovic recalled the EU's important contribution, in the amount of EUR 357 million, to Croatia's biggest and most important infrastructure project so far.
The PM said that public procurement and contractor selection procedures were under way.
Replying to earlier letters by Bosnia and Herzegovina Prime Minister Denis Zvizdic and his deputy Vjekoslav Bevanda, Plenkovic recalled the dialogue Croatia has been conducting with Bosnia and Herzegovina about the Peljesac Bridge project since 2005.
Explicit agreement has been reached about Croatia having the right to build the bridge on its territory, with respect for Bosnia and Herzegovina's right to innocent passage, Plenkovic said in his letter to Zvizdic and Bevanda.
"Based on that agreement, technical characteristics of the bridge have been determined and they in no way hamper Bosnia and Herzegovina's enjoyment of all of its rights and legitimate interests at sea," says the letter.
Plenkovic once again confirmed his country's support to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the path to European associations, expressing full readiness for further developing bilateral relations in an atmosphere of mutual respect and respect for relevant rules and principles of international law.
Text: Hina