Bradara and Federal Ministers Meet with Plenković on Southern Interconnection

(Patria) - A delegation from the Federation of BiH, led by FBiH President Lidija Bradara and Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Finance Toni Kraljević, met today in Zagreb with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

The delegation of the Government of the Federation of BiH also included Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry Vedran Lakić and Minister of Transport and Communications Andrijana Katić.

The Croatian delegation, in addition to Plenković, included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković and Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar.

Discussions focused on improving bilateral relations, infrastructure, and energy, and strengthening good neighborly cooperation between the Federation of BiH and the Republic of Croatia.

FBiH President Lidija Bradara emphasized that the FBiH Government is functioning stably and efficiently, that decisions are made in a timely manner, and that initiated tasks are being realized in the interest of BiH.

Deputy Prime Minister Kraljević highlighted the importance of good neighborly relations and expressed gratitude to the Republic of Croatia for its continuous support to Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing that good cooperation is key to the economic development and stability of the entire region.

Minister Lakić stated that the meeting was held in a very open and constructive atmosphere, and that a clear willingness was expressed to resolve issues concerning the oil terminals in Ploče.

- Prime Minister Plenković showed openness towards the Federation of BiH and readiness to reach a final solution to the legal issues currently facing the FBiH Oil Terminals through cooperation between the relevant ministries - said Lakić.

Thanking Croatia for its strong and continuous support in the realization of important infrastructure projects in the Federation of BiH, especially in the transport sector, Minister Katić highlighted cooperation on the construction project of the new bridge in Čapljina, the Ravno-Hutovo road construction, the project for the construction of a new bridge over the Sava River between Orašje and Županja, as well as infrastructure projects aimed at increasing the capacity of Mostar Airport, which are strongly supported by Croatia.

According to Prime Minister Plenković, Croatia's priority is to continue building good neighborly relations with BiH, strengthen political and economic cooperation, and resolve open issues.

- Croatia supports the further continuation of works on the construction of Corridor Vc through the territory of BiH so that we can jointly realize the full potential of this strategic transport route connecting our countries. We also hope for the soon opening of the Gradiška border crossing, which will further strengthen transport connectivity - stated Plenković.

The meeting also discussed gas interconnections, with a particular focus on the Southern Gas Interconnection project.

Minister Lakić also presented other planned gas interconnections in the Federation of BiH, emphasizing that gasification represents a significant development opportunity for both sides. All steps must be taken for this project to be realized in the near future.