New bridge connecting BiH, Croatia opens to traffic

2021-10-01 09:05:53 GMT2021-10-01 17:05:53(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

SARAJEVO, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- A new bridge across the river Sava, connecting Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), has been ceremonially opened, according to a press release issued by the Council of Ministers of BiH on Thursday.

The Svilaj bridge, together with a 10 km-long highway section and a new border crossing point, will significantly improve the connection of the two countries and the region.

The opening ceremony was led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and Zoran Tegeltija, chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH.

"The bridge symbolizes easier movement toward a better future," said von der Leyen, adding that the region must also build the bridge of reconciliation and trust. "I assure you, we are ready to go through every step together with you as friends and partners."

Plenkovic said that the bridge symbolizes values we all share -- community, responsibility, trust, mutual respect and the desire to communicate without obstacles so that people, goods and services can move without restrictions.

The 660-meter-long bridge is part of the Pan-European Corridor Vc, which is to be built by 2030 at a cost of nearly 4 billion euros (4.63 billion U.S. dollars). Enditem

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