A formal conference on IPA Cross Border Programme between Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina 2007- 2013, took place on Wednesday in Sarajevo. On that occasion, 13 grant contracts were signed with beneficiaries awarded within the first joint Call for Proposals for the Cross border cooperation programme between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
„Thanks to the commitment and dedication of all those involved, we are today in a position to mark the beginning of implementation of projects within CBC Programme between Croatia and BiH“, said Boris Iarochevitch, Head of Operations at the Delegation of the EU to BiH. He pointed out that the Programme recieved 103 project proposals requesting much more funds than the available means allowed. Many projects, according to Iarochevitch, deal with cross-border tourism, environment protection, energy saving, better utilisation of energy in agriculture as well as promotion and establishment of a network of small and medium enterprises on both sides of the border.
„These projects will additionally strenghten the existing ties and business relations as well as common cultural and social grounds between institutions and people. This is only the first call, and we expect to announce the second call before summer. I hope that we shall have approximately three million Euros available for Bosnia and Herzegovina and just as much for Croatia“, added Iarochevitch.
Iarochevitch explained that the EU has recognised the importance of regional cooperation long time ago, and initiated the CBC programmes that will most certainly contribute to promotion of economic and social prosperity of the region and help reconciliation and good neighbourly relations. However, in the end the success of these programmes will depend on people in the region, on their business, administration, and all those living on both sides of the border between Croatia and BiH to use these opportunities for their benefit.
According to Karlo Gjurašić, State Secretary at the Ministry for Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management of Croatia, cross-border cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina is marked as the most important cross-border cooperation program with non-member states. The programme value is 3,6 million Euros.
„Our joint activities aime at strenghtening the capacities and skills for managing structural programmes of the EU in the later phases when these programmes become available meaning when our countries join member states“, he said.
According to Nevenka Savić Director of the Directorate for European Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regional coooperation is a key element of the SAA and from this aspect, the project of cross-border cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia is very important.
More info on IPA Cross Border Programme between Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina at http://www.cbc-cro-bih.net/
