START OF ROMANIJA THIRD LANE CONSTRUCTION SHOWS BETTER DAYS ARE AHEAD FOR SRPSKA

SOKOLAC, JULY 7 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska is facing better days ahead and has not given up on its development despite difficult times, and the start of construction of the third lane for slow-moving vehicles across Romanija is proof of that, President Milorad Dodik said.

Dodik stressed the importance of this section of the main road from Zvornik to Pale and further to Istočno Sarajevo, adding that all such points would be addressed by introducing third lanes, which would accelerate modernisation and improve traffic flow.

"This is proof that better days are ahead for Republika Srpska. It has shown the ability to endure difficult political, social and economic times, but it has not given up on its development. I am pleased that works are beginning here because this has always been identified as a priority need," Dodik said after the works were officially launched.

He reiterated that the works would be completed within 18 months and that the road would be opened to traffic, but that construction would continue towards Ravna Romanija.

"This is an important route because the Jahorina Olympic Centre is located here and a significant number of tourists pass through this area, so the modernised road section will also contribute to increasing the number of visitors," Dodik said.

He pointed out that the municipalities of Sokolac, Pale and others that make up the city of Istočno Sarajevo had received significant investment from the republic authorities over the past 25 years and that almost all accumulated problems identified as strategically important had been resolved, including the hospital, the connection from Lukavica towards Jahorina, the tunnel, the faculties and the university rectorate.

"This is a wonderful area, life here is getting better and better, but there is no way to help those who are pessimistic," Dodik said.

He also pointed out that all data show that Republika Srpska is stable, is improving the living standards of its people, and increasing pensions and salaries. He added that it has 406,000 families and 413,000 registered passenger vehicles.

He agreed that there are people who live in difficult circumstances, but said that the authorities are working to ensure that the overall standard of living can be improved.

"There has never been a time when we did not treat this area with special attention, because we believe that the people of the Sarajevo-Romanija region bore the greatest burden of the struggle to create Republika Srpska, and we must repay them in this way," Dodik concluded.

Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić and Dodik officially marked the start of works today in Sokolac on the third lane for slow-moving vehicles on the 1,871-metre Podromanija–Sumbulovac section of the main road, worth BAM 6.204 million.