Croatia today celebrates the “reunification” of its territory with the inauguration of the Peljesac bridge. After more than twenty years of discussions, false starts and delayed construction work, it will now be possible to travel the entire Croatian coast without going through Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach Dubrovnik, in the southern end of the country. “It is a sovereign act of reunification of our territory”declared Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who also sees this new infrastructure as part of the list of achievements of this “great year” : Zagreb received the green light from the European Union for the adoption of the euro from next January 1 and should also join the Schengen area in 2023. Among these achievements, the bridge is the most talked about project.
Dubrovnik isolated until today
The Croatian coast has been cut in two since the country’s independence in 1991. Bosnia and Herzegovina has only one access to the sea: the port of Neum, on the coast between the Croatian towns of Split and Dubrovnik. If the Bosnian flag flies in this small town today, it is because of a decision taken more than three centuries ago. “Following the failure of the siege of Vienna in 1683, the Christian forces of Europe led an effective counter-attack against the Ottoman Empire, which ended in 1699 with the Treaty of Karlowitz”, explains Emir Filipovic, professor of medieval history at the University of Sarajevo. “During this peace conference, the Republic of Ragusa (today Dubrovnik, editor’s note) demands that a small piece of territory be left to the Ottoman Empire, to avoid a common border between Ragusa and its rival, the Republic of Venice. » His decision will have had consequences on the isolation of Dubrovnik until today.
Work started in 2007
Since the 1990s, Zagreb and Sarajevo have sought a common solution to the “neum’s question”, in particular to avoid traffic jams at the border during the tourist season. But, after considering several options (a ferry service, a tunnel, a “watertight” motorway corridor through Bosnia, etc.), Croatia decided to build a bridge, despite the opposition of the Bosnians, concerned about losing their only access to the sea.
Work started in 2007, but the project was abandoned in 2011 due to lack of funds. After new feasibility studies, the situation was unblocked in 2017, when the European Commission awarded Croatia an envelope of 357 million euros for the construction of the road infrastructure (i.e. 85% of the cost of the bridge). The following year, the call for tenders published by Zagreb was won by the Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation and the site resumed in 2019.
Improvement of the daily life of the inhabitants
The construction of the Peljesac bridge, 2.4 km long and 55 meters high, was not free from controversy, but with its opening the daily life of the inhabitants will be easier. “Each time I send my wine to another town in Croatia, I have to fill out paperwork so that the goods can leave the European Union and re-enter it. It’s like living in another country.” laments Anto Grgurevic, a winemaker on the Peljesac peninsula. From tonight, he assures, he will feel a little closer to the rest of the country.