Sattler with state and entity officials on Corridor 5c

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Head of the European Union Delegation to BiH and EU Special Representative Ambassador Johann Sattler hosted a high-level meeting on Corridor 5c in Sarajevo on Thursday, attended by relevant officials from the state and entity levels, as well as representatives of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to discuss accelerating the works.

Corridor 5c is the most ambitious investment program in Bosnia and Herzegovina, requiring significant financial resources and human resources. So far, the European Union has provided more than 200 million euros in grants through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) for the construction of 11 highway sub-sections on Corridor 5c in BiH, supplementing loans from the EIB and EBRD, the EU Delegation announced.

Ambassador Johann Sattler stated: "Five years after the launch of the Connectivity Agenda and ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit to be held in Zagreb on May 6 and 7, 2020, we met to review the current situation and discuss future plans for the development and completion of works on the Corridor 5c highway in BiH. Continued investment in Corridor 5c is a priority that will ensure modern transport links connecting the country with the region and the EU for the benefit of citizens and the economy. Bosnia and Herzegovina can mobilize resources and technical capacities to accelerate the works."

During the meeting, representatives of the relevant authorities confirmed their commitment to accelerating the preparation and implementation of past investments in Corridor 5c.

Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Fadil Novalić emphasized the need to create a favorable environment for private sector growth and investments, adding that rapid infrastructure construction and fiscal growth are recognized as priorities.

Minister of Transport and Communications of Republika Srpska Đorđe Popović said that the European Union allocates significant funds for development projects annually, and expressed the intention to continue cooperation on future projects.

In 2015, the European Union launched the Connectivity Agenda for the Western Balkans and secured the allocation of significant grants to co-finance key transport and energy links in the region by 2020.

Works are underway at several active construction sites in the country, and BiH is committed to completing them. The connectivity project that has achieved the greatest progress in the region is the bridge in Svilaj, which will be completed by this summer.

The long-awaited works have finally begun on the construction of the bridge in Gradiška, as well as the highway between Rudanka and Johovac. The tunnel construction site in Zenica was recently opened, and the start of excavation works for the tunnel at Ivan will be marked at the end of this month.