"The government made the decision due to strong pressure from the public to which we are grateful, particularly to President Stjepan Mesic, who significantly contributed to discovering the affair," Cacic said at a news conference on Wednesday.
By deciding to invite bids for the construction of the highway section, the government admitted that it had deceived the public from the start, claiming that its obligations towards the US company were inherited from the former government, Cacic said, adding that his party would urge the parliament to launch an investigation into the case.
He warned the government that he would closely follow invitations for bids for the construction of the Split-Dubrovnik highway.
Answering a reporter's question, Cacic said that there was no danger of Bechtel claiming damages for not being granted the contract directly. "I have legal information on the agreement with Bechtel and Bechtel cannot and has no right to claim damages."