Governments of Serbia and Republic of Srpska signed protocol on construction of new bridge across the Drina, between Ljubovija and Bratunac, worth EUR 1.5m

The Republic of Srpska (RS) and Serbia signed an agreement on Friday, September 24, on the construction of a bridge across the Drina worth 1.5 million euros, near Bratunac in RS and Ljubovija in Serbia.

The Protocol on that was signed in Banja Luka by Minister of Transport and Communications of RS Nedeljko Cubrilovic and Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of Serbia Oliver Dulic.

Minister Cubrilovic stated that the construction of the bridge between Bacevac and Fakovici, about 200 meters long, should commence in 2012.

Cubrilovic said to the press that the bridge construction would be financed by the Government of Serbia, while the access roads - the cost of which had not been calculated into the value of the project, would be built by both Serbia and RS, each on its side.

According to his words, the construction of the bridge and a new border crossing is in the interest of the whole area on the both sides of the Drina river, that is, on both sides of the border.

- This bridge has the priority over some other facilities because Serbia has expressed a special interest in its construction - said Cubrilovic.

- That is the third bridge between RS and Serbia, for the construction of which the whole funds will be provided by Serbia - said Cubrilovic.

Minister Oliver Dulic said that the money for the construction of the bridge and the access road would be earmarked in the state budget of Serbia for year 2011.

Dulic estimated that that project was another example of "the establishment of improving relations between the same people on both sides of the border".

"In this case we talk about the concrete project that can be implemented in a very short time and bring not only good connections for the citizens on both sides of the Drina, but also a potential for economic growth and development, as well as better future", said Dulic.

Minister Dulic also said that the construction of a motorway that would connect Belgrade with the Adriatic on one side and European Corridor 11 with RS on the other side was in the pipeline.

The protocol was signed in the presence of Prime Minister of RS Milorad Dodik who assessed that the agreements between RS and Serbia within the scope of special and parallel relations were being realized.

The protocol on the construction of the bridge between Bacevci and Fakovici was approved by the Government of RS in May 2010.

By signing the protocol, the Government of RS made itself obliged to create conditions for the opening of a new border crossing in that location, as well as to provide the funds for the construction of the access junction on the left bank of the Drina.

According to the protocol, the Government of Serbia is obliged to provide the funds for preparation of both planning and technical documentation, the funds for the construction of the bridge, new border crossing, access junctions on the right bank of the Drina, as well as for the supervision works.