Pusic says Croatia needs political decision about Peljesac Bridge construct

 Croatia will try to get a political answer from the European Commission whether the Peljesac Bridge construction project can apply for funding from EU structural funds, Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Vesna Pusic said in Brussels on Monday.

This afternoon, Pusic is scheduled to hold talks with European Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn about possibilities for the construction of the Peljesac Bridge to be be funded from EU structural funds.

The Peljesac Bridge is one of the possible solutions for connecting the southern Croatian county of Dubrovnik-Neretva with the rest of the country. The construction of the bridge is estimated at EUR400 million which Croatia does not have at this moment so it wants to find out whether the Peljesac Bridge construction project can apply for funding from EU structural funds.

"I would consider this to be a success if we receive an official and definite confirmation that the construction of the bridge is the kind of a project that can apply for funding from EU structural funds. If we get a positive answer, then we must realise the project on the technical level and adjust with EU standards. However, first we need a confirmation that this is possible," said Pusic who traveled to Brussels to attend meetings of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council and General Affairs Council. (Hina)