Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the Commission

The Programme for Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020 was submitted to the Commission on 21 July and is currently under assessment. The total EU funds allocated to this programme amount to EUR 6.8 billion.

This programme does not explicitly mention the ‘Pelješac bridge’ project, but includes a road construction major project ‘Connecting the divided territory of Republic of Croatia’ which is to be presented to the Commission for potential co-financing. According to the programme document this project is currently under preparation, and a detailed feasibility study will be available by the second quarter of 2015. The inclusion of a project in the programme is however without prejudice of EU co-financing.

The Programme Transport 2007-2013 earmarks funds from the European Regional Development Fund to support the preparation of project documents. Preparatory activities (such as a feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis, environment impact assessments etc.) in relation to the ‘Pelješac bridge’ project could therefore benefit from financial support under this programme, provided it meets the conditions and objectives of the programme.

For more detailed information on the state of play of the project development, the responsible Croatian authorities are the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds and the Ministry of Maritime Affaires, Transport and Infrastructure.