West Balkans PMs Flag Up Adriatic Highway

Ahead of an important German-hosted meeting in Berlin on Thursday, the Prime Ministers of Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Montenegro met on Monday in Cavtat, Croatia, to discuss the planned construction of an Adriatic-Ionian highway.

The highway will connect Central and Western Europe with Greece through the Western Balkans, running down the coast.

Zoran Milanovic of Croatia held a short working session with the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, Montenegro's leader, Mile Djukanovic, and the President of Bosnia's Council of Ministers, Vjekoslav Bevanda.

The regional leaders agreed that the highway, which will require outside funding, is a priority that will help all their economies.

Milanovic said the motorway would also assist Kosovo, which was not represented at the meeting.

“If this road is built and goes all the way to Albania, millions of vehicles will pass through Croatia,” Milanovic said, pointing to the financial benefit for his own country.

Addressing the city of Dubrovnik's connections with the rest of Croatia, Milanovic pointed that the highway would reach Dubrovnik through Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Noting that Milanovic has also offered help to neighbouring countries in their negotiations with EU, Djukanovic of Montenegro thanked his host for promoting regional cooperation.

“The Adriatic-Ionian corridor is very important corridor and a priority for the development of our region,” Djukanovic said.

Bosnia's Bevanda praised the meeting for building trust and said it was useful "for setting standpoints and priorities before going to Berlin.

“This corridor is something good for all of us, which will connect us with each other, and will help develop the infrastructure of BiH and our...