NEW GRADIŠKA BORDER CROSSING OPENED

GRADIŠKA, MAY 19 /SRNA/ – The new border crossing in Gradiška with Croatia began operating tonight, a SRNA reporter on the scene reported.

The first vehicles have already crossed the new border checkpoint. The opening was attended by the Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers, Srđan Amidžić, and the Mayor of Gradiška, Zoran Adžić. The Ministry of Security of BiH earlier today issued a decision to redirect traffic to the new bridge in Gradiška. The Ministry stated that the new bridge will be used during the suspension of traffic at the existing Gradiška border crossing, which occurred last night due to the collapse of part of the protective fence and pedestrian walkway on the old bridge over the Sava River. The Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH informed that customs operations at the new location have been enabled by relocating staff from the existing Gradiška border crossing. 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 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.