Serbia is investing millions in Bosnia: New Autobahn for the region!

Serbia is investing millions in Bosnia: New Autobahn for the region!

Bijeljina, Bosnien und Herzegowina - On April 25, 2025, the Serbian government announced a significant investment in the infrastructure of Bosnia-Herzegovinas. The Rača-Bijeljina motorway section is to be funded with 1.18 billion dinar (over 10 million euros). This project is not only a further step in the development of the transport networks in the region, but also a partial financing by the government of the Republika SRPSKA, which takes over the main part of the costs. According to the report of Kosmo , this investment is the second financial injection for the project, which is part of a larger traffic connection from Vukosavlje via Brčko and Bijeljina, the total length of which is 70 kilometers is.

Nedeljko Coric, director of the Republika Srpska motorways, emphasized that Serbia has already put around 10 million euros into the project and announced a further support of 10 million euros, which was released on March 12. In addition, Serbia will also finance the bridge over the Save and the integrated border crossing. The total costs of the road amount to 258 million marks, and the Republika SRPSKA has already invested 100 million marks from its own resources. The completion of the motorway section is sought for 2026.

political implications

These financial aids of Belgrade are evaluated by international observers as part of a strategy for consolidating political influence in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the meantime, the EU expresses concern about possible destabilizing developments, especially with regard to separatist tendencies in the Republika Srpska. Brussels urges the country's territorial integrity and has already imposed sanctions against leading politicians of entity.

progress and challenges

initiated 23 years ago, the corridor now receives financial support from the European Union of 870 million euros from grants and loans from the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The construction is progressing quickly, with about 60 kilometers of tunnels, bridges and streets under construction, but so far only half of the highway has been successfully completed. This project not only promotes traffic, but also the creation of industrial parks that ultimately promise jobs and economic growth.

The EU delegation in Bosnia has pointed out that the permits for EU subsidies can often take a long time and that the political reforms to combat corruption and to strengthen the rule of law are essential in order to enable access to the EU. It remains to be seen whether the goals set to be completed by 2030 can be realized, since political will formation between the ethnic groups in the country is of crucial importance.