CROATIA AND BOSNIA WANT TO CONSTRUCT PLOCE-BUDAPEST CORRIDOR

SARAJEVO, June 2 (Hina) - Croatia's Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Construction, Radimir Cacic and Bosnia- Herzegovina's Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Mirsad Kurtovic signed a statement on the joint engagement of the two countries in the building of a corridor that should link the southern Croatia seaport of Ploce, via Bosnian territory and continental Croatian areas, with Hungary. The statement was signed in Sarajevo on Friday. "The construction of C 5 corridor is of the exceptional importance for Croatia as this would bring an end to the isolation of Croatian southernmost areas and ensure maximum usage of the Ploce port's capacity," Minister Cacic said after signing the document. He added that Croatia and Bosnia had been tied historically and by their geographic position which makes them cooperate closely, particularly in communications. Cacic said the Sarajevo talks had confirmed that there were no differences between the two countries as regards this project and added that there were real prospects of engaging Hungary in it. Minister Mirsad Kurtovic said that in the coming ten days Sarajevo and Zagreb should appoint their representatives for the work in an expert group the task of which will be to prepare a complete project. The project can then be presented to Stability Pact's economy working table. Initial means for the start of the construction of the road corridor are expected to be earmarked from donations given within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, while the rest of the money will be loans ensured by concession holders. During his stay in Sarajevo, Minister Cacic held talks with other senior Bosnian officials and was received by the chairman of Bosnian three-man Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic. (hina) jn ms