In spite of objections from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia officially begins the construction of the Peljesac Bridge. The idea of the construction of this bridge has existed since the 90’s and the first preparatory works began some 15 years ago. Bosnia objects its construction because it never agreed on the border at sea with Croatia.

Maritime expert Nesad Alikadic told N1 that he has some information saying that Bosnia is working on initiating a legal dispute against Croatia. According to him, one of the legal processes will be held at the Court of Justice in the Hague, and the other at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg.

“Bosnia’s Presidency Chairman Bakir Izetbegovic has promised and accepted his duty to launch a lawsuit. As far as I know, preparations are underway and I expect Mr Izetbegovic to submit the lawsuit. He doesn’t need an approval or a consensus from other two Presidency members because Bosnian Parliament’s Declaration on the Peljesac Bridge exists since last year,” Alikadic said.

In the meantime, Bosnian authorities did nothing to protect the country’s interests or to hold open talks with their Croatian counterparts.

The European Union said it would finance part of the bridge construction, and during her recent visit to Sarajevo, the European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc said that if Bosnia has any objections to the decision on co-financing of the bridge, the local authorities should address the EU in writing with their arguments.

During one of recent verbal and written exchanges on this issue, Bosnia’s Minister of Civil Affairs Adil Osmanovic sent an important message to Croatia:

“Should Croatia unilaterally decide to begin the construction of the Peljesac Bridge before resolving the border issue with Bosnia, such a decision would lead to deterioration of neighbourly relations which is neither in Bosnia’s nor in Croatia’s interest, but it is also not in the interest of the EU.”