A ceremony was held in Mostar to sign and deliver 199 contracts for various projects to be implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), financially supported by the Republic of Croatia. On this occasion, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej PlenkoviC stated that during his previous two terms, the Croatian government had invested over 340 million euros in such projects and that this amount will increase in the future.
“We’re not doing this just through the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, but also through other departments, as evidenced by the three examples we saw today: the construction of the Croatian National Theatre building in Mostar, support for the University of Mostar, and the University Clinical Hospital Mostar. These three segments – culture, education, and healthcare – form the core of how Croatia supports Croats in BIh, but also benefit everyone living here. This was also evident in the choice of Sarajevo as the first destination in our third term for a working and bilateral visit, where yesterday we discussed all the key topics on the agenda between the two countries,” said Plenkovic yesterday after the signing ceremony.
He also announced continued support through such and similar projects.
“I am pleased that so far, in the two terms of my government, we have directed 340 million euros through various departments for numerous projects. We will continue this according to our financial capabilities and, in the future, I believe, further increase it,” Plenkovic said.
He also emphasized Croatia’s strong support for BiH on its European and reform path and pointed to the continuous growth of trade between the two countries, which this year is expected to exceed 3.8 billion euros.
”Croatia helps from Posavina to Herzegovina”
State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad Zvonko Milas stated that the benefits of the 199 contracts signed yesterday will be felt by all residents of BiH.
“I am confident that these 199 projects, once realized, will contribute to improving the quality of life for all people across BiH, in all its key aspects important for human life. From Posavina, through Central BiH, to Herzegovina, the traces of our cooperation are visible, and we will continue in this direction. These projects and their results have meaning, not only in helping people to stay here but also in helping them to return to BiH. Our commitment is directed towards all generations of society, but primarily to the youngest ones,” said Milas.
Mayor of Mostar Mario Kordic expressed his enthusiasm for the implementation of all projects that benefit all citizens of BiH.
“Before this event, we had the opportunity to visit some of the projects that the Government of Croatia supports in Mostar, and I must emphasize that all these projects improve the quality of life for every citizen of BiH, regardless of whether they are Croat or not. The University Clinical Hospital Mostar, for instance, is an institution whose doors are open to all people in BiH, to anyone in need. I wouldn’t want these projects to be portrayed as only helping Croats in BiH, as there are many examples where this aid has been beneficial to everyone in BiH,” the mayor of Mostar concluded.
