Bosnia’s Presidency Chairman Bakir Izetbegovic said that yesterday's signing of a contract on the construction of the Peljesac Bridge between Croatian Roads and the Chinese Consortium China Road and Bridge Corporation is against Bosnia’s position on this issue.

“The Presidency has taken a very clear position on this, which was confirmed last year by Bosnia’s House of Representatives. Bosnia definitely opposes the construction of the Peljesac Bridge until our rights which are defined in accordance with UN Convention on Laws of the Sea are respected. It's not something that could be delayed and or solved in the next month. It's a marathon process,” Izetbegovic said. “Obviously, we would like to solve this issue with Croatia on the basis of good neighbourly relations and we want to meet their demands, their need to connect their territory, but they should also meet our demands, our rights guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea, and the Convention on the Right to Access to the Open Sea. We will continue to address the European Commission that finances the project,” Izetbegovic said answering the question of the reporter N1.  

He added he will address the Croatian representatives because of this new situation.  

“We will also contact the Croatian side and, if necessary, address the courts dealing with these matters. One of them is in The Hague, the International Court of Justice. The other is the tribunal directly involved in resolving disputes related to the Laws of the Sea and it is located in Hamburg. This is a process that will last,” Izetbegovic concluded.  

Construction of the said bridge is problematic for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some Bosnian officials say that it violates the country’s right to open seas. Bosnia demands that its border issues with Croatia be resolved before it gives its official consent to the construction of the Peljesac Bridge.