HRVATSKA KOSTAJNICA, Aug 26 (Hina) - The border crossing between Croatia and Bosnia at Hrvatska Kostajnica was opened for regular passenger traffic on Monday. Croatia has, thus, fully established its constitutional and legal
sovereignty, as well as territorial integrity between the Una and Uncica rivers, after almost 11 years.
HRVATSKA KOSTAJNICA, Aug 26 (Hina) - The border crossing between
Croatia and Bosnia at Hrvatska Kostajnica was opened for regular
passenger traffic on Monday. Croatia has, thus, fully established
its constitutional and legal sovereignty, as well as territorial
integrity between the Una and Uncica rivers, after almost 11 years.
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By deploying Croatian border police and customs service to the
border with Bosnia, 42 hectares of territory have been restored to
Croatia's sovereignty.
The crossing was officially opened by Croatian Foreign Minister
Tonino Picula and deputy representative of the European Commission
in Bosnia, Artur Runge Metzer.
The ceremony was attended by the head of the UN Mission to Bosnia,
Jacques Klein, ambassadors of the two countries, as well as other
senior officials.
A reconstructed, 170-metres long bridge over the Una River
connecting Hrvatska Kostajnica with an island where the border
crossing is located, was also opened for traffic today.
The reconstruction of this bridge was financed by the European
Union with a million euros.
Until Croatia and Bosnia reach a final solution in line with the
agreement on setting border crossings, only international
passenger traffic will be allowed to pass over the bridge.
Before the border crossing was opened, Minister Picula and Bosnian
Civilian Affairs and Communications Minister Svetozar Mihajlovic
signed an annex to the agreement on joint crossing locations
between Hrvatska Kostajnica (Croatia) and Bosanska Kostajnica
(Bosnia).
Since the border crossing is on Croatian territory, the
construction of infrastructure and buildings was financed by the
Croatian government with 700,000 kuna, while the expenses for
utility, telephone and other services will be financed by customs
services of both countries.
At the opening ceremony, Picula thanked the European Commission for
the funds which made the restoration of the bridge possible.
"This bridge should connec the two neighbouring towns (Hrvatska
Kostajnica and Bosanska Kostajnica) better, as well as our two
countries which are still recuperating from war-time and post-war
events," Picula said.
Mihajlovic expressed hope that the new bridge would contribute to a
faster return of refugees and displaced persons, and called for
negotiations on as yet unresolved issues regarding the border
between the two countries to be held in an atmosphere of tolerance
and understanding, taking into consideration the interests of
citizens of both countries.
UN Mission head to Bosnia, Jacques Klein congratulated all those
who contributed to the opening of the border crossing, stressing
that this was an indicator of wise politics and one of the chief
principles of the EU's work.
He commended the attitude of the Croatian government and the two
Bosnian entities' governments for having made it possible to open
the border crossing, by which they showed resolute dedication in
mutually solving all contentious issues.
Klein announced that the Bosnian customs service would establish
complete control over Bosnia's borders within a month. He endorsed
Picula's efforts to have the Croatian government solve the issue of
Croatia's southernmost peninsula Prevlaka by the end of the year.
(hina) lml