ZAGREB, Aug 25 (Hina) - The Social Democrat Party leader and Croatian Premier, Ivica Racan, has said he expects relations between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to develop normally and that one should not dramatise the current
obstacles in connection with the European Vc corridor.
ZAGREB, Aug 25 (Hina) - The Social Democrat Party leader and
Croatian Premier, Ivica Racan, has said he expects relations
between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to develop normally and
that one should not dramatise the current obstacles in connection
with the European Vc corridor. #L#
"Our offer is sincere, as we did not hide our interest in the project
nor the fact that it is useful for us," Racan said on Monday
afternoon prior to the SDP presidency session in Zagreb.
"Our interest is logical, and the only condition for the investment
in the project is a public tender. We have not thus conditioned the
selection of the best bidders. This will be assessed by Bosnian
bodies. It is not our business," Racan added.
However, it is evident that we have touched a deal which has already
been concluded. That can explain insensible anger directed towards
me and the Croatian government. (...) I believe that some, thinking
that the job is over, are somewhat angry at us as we are spoiling it.
It is not our intention to spoil anybody's job in Bosnia, but it is
in bona fide to help a neighbouring country wrap up a development
project well, he said.
In the light of the fact that the construction of a highway on the Vc
corridor concerns Bosnia, Croatia and Hungary, it would be logical
that the said countries take part in the construction, rather than
countries from other continents. But this is a matter of taste,
Racan explained.
The Croatian government last week sent a letter of intent to
Sarajevo regarding the construction of the section of the Budapest-
Ploce highway running through Bosnia-Herzegovina. The letter reads
that Croatia is ready to secure between US$7 and $9 million for
preparing documents needed to announce an international public
tender for the construction of the highway section running through
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
According to local media in Bosnia, a potential constructor of the
highway is the Bosmal company, which is said to be a Bosnian-
Malaysian firm. The media also speculate that Bosnian authorities
have already agreed the deal with the company.
(hina) ms