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23. July 2002 |
Contract signed for reconstruction of bombed bridge
BRUSSELS – A contract worth 34 million euros was signed in Novi Sad today for the reconstruction of the town’s Sloboda Bridge, which was struck by NATO rockets during the 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia.
The reconstruction of the bridge will be the largest project so far financed by EC funds in Yugoslavia. Chris Patten, EU Commissioner for External Relations, said the project was “another important step forward for all those who use the Danube.”
“The restoration of navigation is of economic and commercial, environmental, cultural and political importance to Europe -and the reconstruction of this bridge will obviously be of enormous importance to the inhabitants of Novi Sad,” said Patten in a statement.
Clearance of the Danube River of debris and unexploded ordnance should be completed by autumn 2002. Full navigation will be restored with the removal of the temporary pontoon bridge, when the reconstructed Sloboda Bridge is opened, scheduled for 2004. (B92)
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