Croatia will give the Mostar University Hospital in Bosnia and Herzegovina HRK 40 million this year for curbing the COVID-19 epidemic, the government decided on Thursday.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Health Minister Vili Beroš said the money was set aside in the state budget in line with the constitutional stipulation under which Croatia protects the rights and interests of its citizens.

The hospital will receive HRK 2 million for January and February and HRK 3.8 million per month for the remainder of the year to service liabilities towards drug suppliers, all for the purpose of curbing the epidemic, he added.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said those were additional funds and not part of the regular financing of projects for Croats outside Croatia.

This is support to Mostar, to all Mostar citizens, Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, notably Croats in Herzegovina, and I'm glad that we can continue to supports Croats in BiH, notably within the context of curbing the COVID-19 epidemic, he added.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)