HRVATSKA KOSTAJNICA, July 29 (Hina) - The relevant Croatian technical services for the construction of border crossings on Monday passed across the bridge across the Una river to the right bank to commence works on a joint
international border crossing along the Uncica river between Hrvatska Kostajnica and Bosanska Kostajnica.
HRVATSKA KOSTAJNICA, July 29 (Hina) - The relevant Croatian
technical services for the construction of border crossings on
Monday passed across the bridge across the Una river to the right
bank to commence works on a joint international border crossing
along the Uncica river between Hrvatska Kostajnica and Bosanska
Kostajnica. #L#
Croatian border police did not cross to the right bank but according
to a representative of the Croatian delegation, the police are
prepared to cross the Una and commence doing their duty as soon as
conditions have been set up and when their deployment to that
position will not harm good-neighbourly relations between the two
countries.
Filip Vucak, the head of Croatia's commission for crossings with
Bosnia-Herzegovina said his country did not wish any added
complications around the opening of the border crossing because a
great deal of effort had been invested into the bilateral
negotiations which arrived at the point where no one denied that
this was a part of Croatian territory.
We are prepared to continue to be patient and resolutely work
towards implementing the agreement on border and agreements
achieved by the joint state commission for borders, Vucak said.
Croatia suggested to Bosnia that the joint check-point be opened
between Hrvatska Kostajnica and Bosanska Kostajnica for local
residents who might pass it on foot, showing only identity cards and
that such check-point be on the site of the future border crossing.
In this way, Croatia wishes to set up a border regime for local
residents prior to opening the crossing for passenger traffic and
prior to officially opening the border crossing.
Vucak mentioned that Zagreb was still waiting for a positive
response from Sarajevo to this proposal.
Vucak declined to say when the border crossing would be open to
passenger traffic.
Representatives of Croatia's Foreign Ministry crossed over to the
right bank of the Una, as well as members of the commission for
border crossings with Bosnia and of the Finance Ministry, and
experts who will conduct surveying, install electrical
installations, sewage, water and phone lines for the future border
check point.
They were greeted by members of the Bosnian state border service who
allowed them to the site of the future border crossing. The Bosnian
officials, however, told Croatian journalists to return to the left
bank with an explanation that the delegation was announced while
the reporters were not.
The construction of the entire infrastructure for the joint border
crossing will be financed by Croatia because the crossing will be
located on its territory while the Bosnian state border service
will connect its phone lines and pay for the costs of electricity,
and utility services, Vucak said.
The Croatian Finance Ministry will invest about 100 thousand euros
in the border crossing.
(hina) sp ms