Ahead of the Western Balkans 6 Summit of Poznan of 4 and 5 July 2019, Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark paid a visit to the newly opened construction site of Corridor Vc motorway, on the section from Johovac interchange to Rudanka interchange.
For this section of the highway which will connect to the Banja Luka – Doboj highway, the European Union contributed with nearly €15 million in grants. The investment complements other on-going and planned investments in the northern and southern parts of Corridor Vc in both entities in BiH.
This project is an important step towards closer integration of the whole Western Balkans region in the context of the Connectivity Agenda and will create greater opportunities for economic development, jobs, safer and faster transport and trade flows with the European Union.
“Improved connectivity within the Western Balkans and with the EU is essential for growth and jobs and brings clear benefits to the citizens. The EU has set aside € 1 billion in EU grants until 2020 to support the implementation of the Connectivity Agenda and I am proud to say that we kept our commitments. At the Western Balkans 6 Summit in Poznan, Poland, starting tomorrow with EU leaders and leaders of the region, the EU will endorse a new Connectivity package to fulfil our pledge to the Western Balkans and BiH“, said Ambassador Wigemark.
With a total length of approximately 335 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina contains the longest section of Corridor Vc. In response to high daily average traffic volumes, Bosnia and Herzegovina has embarked on a multi-billion motorway construction programme, in cooperation with its neighbours. To date, 35% is already built or under construction.
Recognizing this need, since 2015 the European Union has committed to co-finance € 110 million in grants for eight Corridor Vc projects to support the implementation of the Connectivity Agenda in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
The EU assistance contributes to the priorities of the Connectivity Agenda with focus on the preparation and financing of regional infrastructure investment projects, but also on the implementation of technical standards and reform measures, such as simplifying border crossing procedures, railway reforms and road safety.
