The construction of the interstate bridge on the Bojana River, which the Montenegrin Government will finance half and half with Albania, will require the adoption of the Draft Law on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the two countries, the completion of planning and tender documentation, the formation of a two-member Board and two agencies, after which it is planned to call for an international tender for the contractor. works.
This was officially told to "Vijesta" by the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs (MSP), which it manages Filip Radulović.
From this department, they did not specify what the value of this investment will be, explaining that they will sign a special contract with Albania, and only when the contractor is chosen will the deadline for the bridge's completion be known.
Prime Minister's Government Dritan Abazović in September of last year, established the Bill on Confirmation of the Agreement with the Council of Ministers of Albania on the construction of an interstate bridge on the Bojana River and referred it to the parliamentary procedure, but this bill was returned in a package with others that were not adopted due to the election of the new government of the Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.
Spajić's government again approved the same bill at the end of last year. This document was submitted to the parliamentary procedure for adoption a few days ago.
The MSP said that the development of the project was financed by Albania through the Albanian Development Fund (ADF), and the adoption of the agreement in the Assembly will enable the formation of a Committee with two representatives from both countries, which will coordinate, approve the project's timeline and goals.
Abazović's cabinet previously announced that in the budget for 2022, "about 3.500.000 euros have been set aside for the construction of the mentioned infrastructure project that will connect the two countries", and that there are about 34 kilometers of underutilized sandy beaches in the area of these two countries. the demand of about 500.000 tourists annually. It was pointed out that the current distance between Ulcinj and Velipoja is about 73 kilometers, and that with the construction of the bridge it would be reduced to about one kilometer.
Abazović previously stated that the construction of the bridge of both countries will cost a total of 20 million euros.
Strengthening the economic development of the region
“The board will be responsible for monitoring progress and overall coordination and will meet at least four times a year. The Board's task is to analyze and consider progress in connection with the preparatory processes and progress in project implementation, as well as identifying, considering and proposing solutions for possible problems and necessary measures, as well as reviewing and approving quarterly and annual reports on progress," the MSP's response states. -a.
It is also foreseen that the two parties will appoint the Project Implementation Agency (AIP) in charge of the implementation of the construction project and the Agency for monitoring the contractual parties. AIP will prepare the necessary documentation for the procurement and supervision of works and submit it to the Agency for the monitoring of contractual parties, for the necessary approvals.
These steps will create the conditions for the international tender for the contractor. When asked what happens if one party abandons the project, the MSP stated that the agreement defines that in case of cancellation or withdrawal before the start or during construction, one party will collect damages and costs from the responsible party. They stated that it will be regulated by special provisions in the contract, which refer to design and implementation.
"The construction costs of the parties will be shared so that each party will finance 50 percent of the construction, including the total costs of construction, supervision and other services related to the implementation of the project. The value of the construction project will be regulated by a separate contract", explained the ministry.
If cooperation between Montenegro and Albania on infrastructure projects is not ensured, the possibility of their completion on time will decrease, and this also applies to the bridge on the Bojana River, according to the Report on the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), which refers on the Proposal for the Law on Confirmation of the Agreement.
In that document, it is also written that the conclusion of this Draft Law creates the basis for cooperation between the two countries, the conditions and procedures, which will be determined by the implementation protocol, depending on the source of funding. The general goal of the project, as stated, is to improve the connection in the cross-border area of Albania and Montenegro and create conditions for the maximum use of natural and cultural potential and strengthening the economic and social development of the region.
Albania is preparing documentation
The RIA also states that it is foreseen that the Albanian side will prepare the necessary documentation, call for tenders for the most favorable bidders, monitor the implementation of the project, while the authorities in Montenegro will give approvals before each subsequent phase of the project.
It is added that there are no presumed negative direct and indirect impacts of the implementation of the project, while bilateral cooperation and promotion of the exchange of knowledge, experience and information are mentioned among the positive ones. It is added that the adoption of this regulation will not create costs for citizens and the economy, and that there are no administrative burdens and barriers.
On the other hand, it is stated that the implementation of this Draft Law will require additional money from the budget, while the precise value will be known after the completion of the project documentation. The RIA states that the money needed for this project, in the coming years, will depend on the final decision on the terms and method of financing, for that part of the obligations that should be covered by Montenegro, and that it will be planned within the capital budget of the Transport Administration.
It also says that external expertise was not used, but that the text was agreed between the Montenegrin and Albanian sides, and that no obstacles to the implementation of this law are expected. The Ministry of Capital Investments and the Traffic Administration will be responsible for monitoring and assessing the application of regulations.
The distance between Ulcinj and Velipoja is about 73 kilometers, and with the construction of the bridge it would be reduced to about one kilometer.
Among the published documents, it can be seen that the Ministry of Finance had no objections to this Draft Law, from the aspect of impact on the business environment. In addition, in the letter of the minister of that department News of Vuković, writes that in the budget rebalancing for 2023, 6,9 million euros were planned for the purpose of building the bridge on Bojana. It is stated that the Draft Law received the approval of the Ministry of European Affairs, that is, it is in accordance with the legal acquis of the European Union. This decision was signed by the minister of that department Maida Gorcevic.
The bridge must enter the PPCG with which the draft was reached
Former Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović and his Albanian colleague Edi Rama, at the beginning of June 2022, they presented in Skopje at a bilateral meeting a joint project for the construction of a bridge over Bojana that will connect Ulcinj with Velipoj.
Earlier, the Ministry of Capital Investments told "News" that the construction of the bridge on Bojana, which should connect Montenegro and Albania, will certainly not begin before the adoption of the Spatial Plan of Montenegro, because the bridge is counted among infrastructure projects and must be recognized as such in this strategic document. .
The preparation of this strategic document is delayed and only the draft has been reached.
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