The European Union (EU) has recently granted 303 million euros ($330.3 million) to support infrastructure projects in Bosnia, focusing solely on the country’s autonomous Bosniak-Croat Federation while excluding the Serb region. These grants are part of the EU’s 2.1 billion euro investment package allocated for the western Balkans.
The approved funds will contribute to various initiatives, including the construction of two sections of a crucial north-to-south pan-European highway connecting Budapest and the Croatian port of Ploce. Additionally, projects aimed at enhancing water supply in the capital city of Sarajevo and rehabilitating a hydro-power plant’s pump storage are among those receiving assistance.
All four projects chosen for funding are situated in the Bosniak-Croat Federation, rather than the Serb Republic, which is predominantly Serb-dominated. Despite repeated warnings from the 27-member EU bloc regarding secessionist rhetoric and actions undermining the Bosnian state by President Milorad Dodik, a pro-Russian nationalist, no sanctions have been imposed on him thus far.
The EU delegation in Bosnia did not provide an immediate comment explaining why no projects from the Bosnian Serb region were approved. However, the grants announced on Tuesday make up over half of the total 528 million euros approved for the region through EU pre-accession assistance. This amount includes additional contributions from EU member states, Norway, and loans from international financing institutions.
