AMIDŽIĆ: ANOTHER BLOCKADE FELL THANKS TO PEOPLE’S APPLAUSE

GRADIŠKA, MAY 20 /SRNA/ – Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers Srđan Amidžić says the first vehicles have passed through the new Gradiška border crossing and that "another blockade fell thanks to the people’s applause".

"This is a political reaction from Republika Srpska. The opening is the result of a policy that does not accept blockades and delays," Amidžić emphasized.

He noted that Republika Srpska does not wait or stop, but works and builds.

"Every next attempt we will end with the same outcome - a new result on the ground," Amidžić commented on Instagram.

The new bridge, which was opened yesterday, will be used during the suspension of traffic at the existing Gradiška border crossing, caused by the collapse of part of a protective fence and pedestrian walkway on the old bridge over the Sava River.

The newly built border crossing and bridge, connecting BiH with the EU /Croatia/ on the country’s busiest route, worth EUR 100 million, had been ready for use since December last year. However, Zijad Krnjić the member of the Management Board of the Indirect Taxation Authority /ITA/ from the FBiH, repeatedly prevented its opening, allegedly for political reasons.

Krnjić’s blockade reportedly caused significant economic losses for Republika Srpska and BiH, as passengers and freight traffic were forced to use the already overloaded old crossing.