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SARAJEVO, March 10 (FENA) - Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH and Minister of Finance and Treasury Vjekoslav Bevanda and Director of the Office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in BiH Manuela Naessl signed an agreement on two EU grants in Sarajevo today worth 15.5 million euros for motorway construction, sections Zenica Tunnel - Donja Gračanica and Buna - Počitelj.
EU Special Representative for BiH and the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Ambassador Johann Sattler also attended the signing ceremony.
After the signing, Minister Bevanda told reporters that the value of the grant for the Zenica - Donja Gračanica tunnel subsection is EUR 9,222,000. It was approved by the European Union through the investment framework for the Western Balkans.
He added that the grant will be managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the spending will go according to their procedures.
The second contract is worth 6,219,140 euros, and the funds will be spent on the construction of 7.2 kilometers of highway between Buna and Počitelj.
Minister Bevanda emphasized the importance of this section "which is a component of the Pan-European Corridor Vc".
Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in BiH Manuela Naessl expressed satisfaction that this agreement was signed today, noting that the EBRD supports the construction of Corridor Vc from day one, 15 years ago, in the context of this very important European infrastructure network.
Naessl pointed out that this is an extremely important project, primarily for the economy of this country, especially now that the country is coming out or has yet to face the negative consequences of the pandemic.
“Regardless of the pandemic, we have worked and continue to work on the construction of this road network,” said Naessl and added that two grant agreements were signed today, which will ensure the sustainability and affordability of this project.
EU Special Representative in BiH and Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Ambassador Johann Sattler, said the signing of the two grant agreements was further proof that the EU is with BiH.
“We are with you, whether it is the fight against the pandemic or the construction of highways. These are significant funds, more than 15 million euros that are provided as grants. Therefore, such a project has become more attractive, its affordability and the possibility of implementation are ensured,” stated Ambassador Sattler.
Explaining why the EU is investing in such infrastructure projects, in connecting and building Corridor Vc, he said that the first and main reason is that BiH is a country on the path to EU membership and "therefore we want its stronger integration in the context of trans-European transport network.”
He stressed that there is a possibility to accelerate construction activities, and called on the Council of Ministers of BiH, line ministries, banks and all other actors to accelerate the dynamics and ensure generally faster construction of Corridor Vc.
(FENA) A. B.
