Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ambassador Johann Sattler and Mayor of Stari Grad Municipality Irfan Čengić, symbolically planted a linden tree in “Ambassador Alley” in Stari Grad Municipality today.
Since 2002, 238 ambassadors accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as high-ranking officials from international organizations, have planted linden trees along this avenue.
Ambassador Sattler’s linden tree is located right on the route of the future Sarajevo-Pale bicycle path, the construction of which is funded by the European Union with 2.3 million euros, and it is carried out in cooperation with the cities of Sarajevo, East Sarajevo and the municipalities of Stari Grad, Pale and East Stari Grad.
This project is part of the continuous support of the European Union for the development of sustainable tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project itself includes the construction of a 13-kilometer track, which includes the construction of several bridges and tunnels.
“This particular project is in accordance with the Development Strategy of the Municipality of Stari Grad, and soon we will present new projects for which we will seek permits from the competent institutions. In the coming period, I will be personally involved so that this project will come to life with all the restrictions that are imposed in protected areas such as Dariva“, emphasized Mayor Čengić.
“This is a special moment for me, because I had the honor of participating in the long-standing tradition of planting trees by ambassadors who served in this country. Planting trees is a wonderful way to celebrate life and I am glad to contribute to this tradition. This event today is especially important to me because of the bicycle path project along the narrow-gauge railway, which is very close to my heart and which we presented last week. This event coincides also with my last week as Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the authorities with whom we have worked tirelessly over the past five years to achieve progress. I can truly say that this country has become my second home“, said Ambassador Sattler.
After the tree planting ceremony, Mayor Čengić presented the ambassador with a certificate of planting as a gesture of gratitude and to commemorate the occasion.
