Ambassador Johann Sattler, Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative in BiH, hosted the second high-level online meeting on Corridor Vc via video-link, joined by Chair of the Council of Ministers of BiH Zoran Tegeltija, Prime Minister of the FBiH Fadil Novalic, Prime Minister of the RS Radovan Viskovic, competent ministers, directors of Autoceste FBiH PU and Autoputevi RS PU, as well as representatives of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The current situation and future plans for the construction of the highway on Corridor Vc in BiH were discussed at the meeting, with special emphasis on accelerating works.
Corridor Vc represents the most ambitious investment programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina, entailing significant financial and human resources. The European Union is its largest donor, having allocated over €200 million in grants for the construction of 11 sub-sections of the Corridor Vc highway in BiH through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), complementing EIB and EBRD loans.
After the meeting, Ambassador Sattler visited the construction site where excavation of Ivan Tunnel in under way and stated: “I am glad to see that, despite the pandemic, the works on the construction of this important investment project have continued at most locations. However, as I emphasised at today’s high-level meeting, obstacles need to be addressed in order to accelerate works. The EU will continue to provide support, including through the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans presented by Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi last week. ”
During the meeting, representatives of the authorities reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate the preparation and implementation of existing investments in Corridor Vc. Representatives of the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction and the European Investment Bank emphasised their readiness to help in that regard.
Corridor Vc is a priority which will enable modern transport links connecting the country with the region and the EU for the benefit of citizens and the economy.
In 2015, the European Union launched the Connectivity Agenda for the Western Balkans and ensured the allocation of grants to co-finance key transport and energy connections in the region until 2020. For the upcoming period, through the comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, the European Union seeks to foster long-term economic recovery, support green and digital transition, and support regional integration and connectivity with the European Union.
