"In the framework of the trilateral meeting yesterday with Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Commission side made clear that the pre-feasibility study for the connection to the Dubrovnik area is still ongoing and therefore any speculation on its conclusions would be premature," said Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele's spokesman Peter Stano.
"The Commission also recalled that a proper analysis of all options, assessing long-term economic and financial impacts, as well as their environmental, regional development and legal aspects, as foreseen by the terms of reference of this study, is essential if it is to serve as the basis for any EU funded project in future," he added.
Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic said on Wednesday the final version of the pre-feasibility study was expected on August 18.
She reiterated that the first draft envisaged two versions of a bridge connecting the mainland with the Peljesac peninsula as the most acceptable solution, and that the European Commission was considering some remarks to the criteria which needed to be taken into account while drafting the final version.