Residents of four villages from Bosnia's two semi-autonomous entities have reconstructed a bridge between municipalities of Foca in the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska (RS), and Foca-Ustikolina in the Bosniak-Croat shared Federation (FBiH), in eastern Bosnia, widening it for safe vehicle traffic.

The head of the Cape-Ustikolina local community from Foca Municipality, Milan Gagovic, said that Serbs and Bosniaks living in this area depend on each other and often have joint activities.

“We simply can't live without each other. This bridge is a symbol, and we want to send a message of love across Bosnia,” he said.

Fuad Becirbasic from the Filipovici village said that the bridge on the Vranjevska river is a vital traffic connection for this village.

“We've been working together for more than 20 years, ever since the damn war has ended. Thank god that we're neighbours and we need to help each other,” he said.

The bridge was reconstructed by residents from villages Cape, Vranjevici, Lazija, Odzak and Glavica because it was too narrow and unsafe for traffic. Authorities from both entities funded the reconstruction.

After the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia, the country was subdivided into two entities the RS and FBiH. Many areas remained ethnically divided, and villages ethnically cleansed, but residents from many such areas across the country are reestablishing contacts and cooperation forcing the authorities to work on peace and reconciliation even faster.