This year’s budget proposal includes an allocation of 5,000 euros out of a total project estimate of 10 million euros for the construction of a bridge over the Bojana River.

According to unofficial sources from “Vijesti”, only 5,000 euros have been set aside in the proposed budget, as the project, to be jointly executed by Montenegro and Albania, awaits the completion of the Spatial Plan of Montenegro (PPCG).

The public tender for contractor selection will also be delayed until the adoption of the PPCG, and the joint committee, along with two agencies responsible for overseeing this work, is yet to be established, as confirmed by the Ministry of Transport.

The timeline for the adoption of the crucial state document, the PPCG, remains uncertain.

Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and State Property Slaven Radunović noted in November of the previous year, following a meeting with Johan Setler, the European Union Ambassador to Montenegro, that he anticipates the Spatial Plan will be endorsed in a special session of the Parliament of Montenegro in January. Currently, the Parliament is hindered due to a constitutional crisis, and the Spatial Plan has not been brought forth to the Government for approval.

The Ministry of Transport officially informed “Vijesti” that the planning documentation by the Ministry of Spatial Planning has yet to be finalized, which is vital for initiating the bridge construction project per the agreement between the Government of Montenegro and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania regarding the interstate bridge over the Bojana/Buna River.

“The approval of this planning document is essential for beginning project execution, including the release of a public tender and contractor selection,” stated the government agency. “According to the Agreement, the formation of a committee with two representatives from each party is necessary for ensuring collaboration, coordination, and project timeline approval. This committee is yet to be established,” added the government department.

The Agreement specifies that through board decisions, both parties will appoint an Implementation Agency to oversee the bridge construction, and an Agency to monitor the contracting parties.

“The Implementation Agency is in the process of preparing all documentation required for procurement and monitoring the works, which will be submitted for approval to the Monitoring Agency, along with any other necessary approvals during the project’s lifecycle. Due to the previously mentioned reasons, these agencies have not yet been established,” stated the Ministry of Transport.

The Ministry announced that the draft budget law for 2025 includes provisions for financing the bridge construction over the Bojana River, with funds set to be appropriated this year, contingent on the commencement date and work progression.

Former Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović and the current Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama unveiled a joint project to construct a bridge over the Bojana River during a bilateral meeting in Skopje at the “Open Balkans” summit in June 2022.

Abazović’s office previously announced that the budget for 2022 allocated approximately 3,500,000 euros for the construction of the infrastructure project aimed at connecting the two nations, highlighting that the underutilized sandy beaches in this region attract around 500,000 tourists annually. They emphasized that the current distance between Ulcinj and Velipoja is roughly 73 kilometers, while the bridge would shorten this distance to about one kilometer.

Abazović had earlier indicated that the total cost for the construction of the bridge by both countries would amount to 20 million euros.

Construction costs are split equally

The Ministry of Transport revealed that the Albanian Development Fund (ADF) funded the preparation of the project documentation.

“The costs associated with the bridge construction will be equally divided between the parties, with each covering 50 percent of the total expenses, including construction, supervision, and additional services pertinent to project implementation. The detailed cost of the bridge construction will be governed by a separate agreement (implementation protocol) that will be finalized after selecting the most advantageous bid.”

In line with the Agreement, the establishment of a committee with two representatives from each party is outlined to facilitate coordination and cooperation as well as to finalize the project’s schedule and milestones. The Ministry of Transport confirmed that this committee has yet to be formed.

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