TEGELTIJA: I HOPE TWO BORDER CROSSINGS IN GRADIŠKA WILL SOON BE OPERATING

GRADIŠKA, May 22 /SRNA/ – Director of the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH Zoran Tegeltija says that a single border crossing would not solve the congestion problems in Gradiška and expressed hope that two border crossings would soon be operational.

Tegeltija pointed out that the agreement confirmed yesterday by the Council of Ministers defines that there are two border crossings in Gradiška. "I hope that the construction workers will repair the damage that occurred in Gradiška and that, in the near future, both border crossings in Gradiška will be operational. Only then will there be a real effect for everyone traveling, especially for people from the business community," Tegeltija said at a press conference. He said that a meeting was held today in Gradiška involving everyone working at this border crossing – customs officers, Border Police, and inspection services. Tegeltija thanked the Border Police and all customs officers who managed within a few hours to relocate operations from the border crossing at the old bridge to the new location, as well as the Croatian institutions that showed understanding for the problem that occurred in BiH and without whose cooperation the Gradiška border crossing would not have been able to operate at this location. He stated that every Thursday and Friday "bottlenecks are created" regarding the import of goods when trucks enter BiH, and that this customs terminal is unfortunately currently unable to accommodate all trucks at the same time. Tegeltija added that on Sundays and Mondays the problem will be trucks leaving BiH and traveling toward the EU. "At this moment, with two lanes we are able to accommodate all passengers who pass Croatian controls, but in situations, especially during the peak annual holiday season, I think three or four lanes will be needed in order for things to move faster," Tegeltija said.