Brussels / Novi Sad   -  One of the most visible projects from the original list of regional infrastructure projects developed under the auspices of the Stability Pact was inaugurated today (11 October).  The Sloboda (or Freedom) Bridge in Novi Sad, which was destroyed in the 1999 NATO raid, was officially opened today with a short ceremony attended by the Foreign Minister of Serbia and Montenegro Vuk Draskovic, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact Erhard Busek.

Addressing the gathering in the provincial capital of Novi Sad, Mr Busek stressed the importance of the new Sloboda bridge being on the crossroad between Trans European Corridors VII (the Danube) and X (linking Central Europe with Greece).  Moreover, he said that the removal of the pontoon bridge would enable greater use of the Danube as an environmentally friendly transport mode.  "Transport by inland waterway like the Danube river is more than twice as cheap as transport by road but so far estimates for current and future investment are focused solely on road and rail transport"; Special Co-ordinator Busek said.

Therefore, Mr Busek urged active consideration of projects that would make use of the Danube's potential.  "I hope the opening of the Sloboda bridge will inspire SEE countries to look more closely at this mode of environmentally-friendly transport mode."

The reconstruction of the Sloboda Bridge has cost more than €40 million.  This was co-financed by various international donors, including the European Union through the  European Agency for Reconstruction , which was the implementing institution.  The Stability Pact represents SEE countries within the  Infrastructure Steering Group that oversees the implementation of regional infrastructure projects and develops regional strategies for transport, energy and environment-related infrastructure.

For further information, please contact Stability Pact's Spokesperson
Mr Dragan Barbutovski at the SP Secretariat in Brussels
(Tel: +32 2 401 87 25 or press@stabilitypact.org).
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PR2005/018