Jusko: I haven't signed anything, BiH Parliament will have the final say on Pelješac Bridge

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Denis Zvizdić and Minister of Transport and Communications of BiH Ismir Jusko held a press conference after today's session of the Council of Ministers of BiH, which adopted a conclusion on accepting the Transport Community Agreement, which has been sent to the BiH Presidency for approval, reports Patria News Agency.

Ismir Jusko, Minister of Transport and Communications, stated that a letter sent by European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn after the summit in Trieste, when BiH did not join the Transport Community, outlined everything BiH would lose if it did not join the TC.

Jusko said that BiH will receive KM 500 million for several infrastructure projects, and that other projects are already in preparation besides those already approved, and that everything is being done in cooperation with entity ministries. 

Prime Minister Zvizdić emphasized the importance of joining the Transport Community, which will enable the improvement of transport infrastructure.

- The representation within the Transport Community is very clearly defined. In the TC Ministerial Council, BiH will be represented by the State Minister of Transport and Communications – said Zvizdić.

He added that there is no room for discussions about transferring constitutional competencies.

- BiH's representation in the TC is very clear and precise. We, as the Council of Ministers, do not allow any other level to take over competencies that belong to the Council of Ministers – said Zvizdić.

Replying to journalists' questions about the construction of the Pelješac Bridge, Minister Jusko stated that the BiH Parliament will have the final say at its session on September 7.

- At today's session of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry presented all the reports prepared by the working group from 2005 to 2007. At the Parliament session, I will elaborate on everything that happened up to 2007. Nothing has been done from then until today, five ministers have changed, and after 10 years the issue of the Pelješac Bridge is being raised, and we will listen to the conclusions made by the BiH Parliament.

He said that all information from the working group from 2005 to 2007 will be presented.

- In the past 14 months of my mandate, I have not signed anything in that regard, and according to available information, in the past 10 years, no one has signed any document related to this case – said Jusko.

Zvizdić stated that his cabinet and the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers have not received a request from the European Commission for BiH to declare its position on the construction of the Pelješac Bridge by September 6.

- One important thing needs to be clarified. Croatia's intention is to connect its territory, and BiH's request is for our sea to be connected to the open sea, and no one should obstruct these communications. They must be fully aligned with international law – specified Zvizdić.