Plenković: Everything about the Pelješac Bridge was agreed with BiH ten years ago

The President of the Croatian government, Andrej Plenković, stated on Saturday in Žepče, central Bosnia, that the construction of the Pelješac Bridge will continue regardless of all objections to the project and the politicization of this issue, emphasizing that Croatia has fully met all the demands that have come from BiH in recent years regarding this matter.

“If anything needs to be clarified from a technical aspect and international law, Croatia is open to dialogue and explanations. We take into account that this is the largest individual project that will be co-financed with European Union funds amounting to 375 million euros. It represents a strategic connection of the southern part of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County with the rest of Croatia. This project will move forward, and I believe it will receive support from all political actors in BiH,” Plenković told reporters at the beginning of his working visit to BiH, which included Tuzla and Orašje in addition to Žepče.

>>> Zvizdić calls for the continuation of dialogue on the Pelješac Bridge

Plenković was personally welcomed in Žepče by the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Dragan Čović, and they discussed not only projects supporting local communities in BiH where Croats live but also other issues, with reporters most interested in the dispute regarding the Pelješac Bridge, primarily prompted by objections from the Bosniak Party of Democratic Action (SDA).

Plenković emphasized that the Pelješac Bridge is being built on Croatian territory, reminding that the technical parameters were agreed upon ten years ago when the demands coming from BiH were addressed.

“Everything that should come under the bridge in terms of navigation to reach Neum is absolutely ensured. Personally, I do not see any major problem, and there should not be any significant tensions raised in the dialogue between Croatia and BiH on this topic,” said Plenković.

Commenting on messages such as those sent by the Bosniak member of the Presidency of BiH, Bakir Izetbegović, Plenković stated that he does not actually see them as a significant dispute in the relations between the two countries, especially since nothing significant has changed or occurred since the joint session of the Croatian government and the Council of Ministers of BiH held in July in Sarajevo, when this was discussed.

>>> Plenković: The project for the construction of the Pelješac Bridge is moving forward

When asked about his thoughts on the assessments from the office of Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović that BiH is facing an increasing problem of Islamic radicalism and extremism, Plenković responded with the observation that the two countries have a common interest in preserving peace and stability and therefore closely cooperate on security matters.

He stated that he is convinced that the security services in BiH are making maximum efforts in doing their job and that Croatia cooperates with BiH at the level of intelligence services and ministries of the interior, with the desire that this cooperation contributes to the security of both countries.

“Everything we do, we do in a mutually agreed manner,” said Plenković.

The Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Čović, said that Plenković is a true friend of BiH who brings encouragement for the country to continue its Euro-Atlantic path.

“Everything else is in the function of potential elections that will be in a year, and that should not be looked at. All institutions in BiH must have common positions, and we view the Pelješac Bridge project in that way,” said Čović.

He also warned that Croats in BiH would struggle to maintain their numbers without Croatia’s understanding of their problems.

“Today we are at percentages and numbers that guarantee we will remain a constituent nation,” said Čović, adding that this would certainly not be the case without support from Croatia.

Plenković met in Žepče with local officials and representatives of Croatian educational and cultural institutions operating there with the aim of promoting developmental projects co-financed by the Croatian government.

The Croatian Prime Minister spoke with Mato Zovko, a long-time mayor from the ranks of HDZ BiH and his associates, and afterward visited the Catholic School Center “Don Bosco.”

Plenković emphasized that support for this municipality is also support for a model of successful development and coexistence and announced further support for economic projects being implemented there.