"The best solution does not mean financially only, but a whole range of other elements also need to be taken into account, such as political and technical feasibility, and protection of the environment," Pusic added.

Pusic said that funds for drawing up such a study could be ensured from the IPA pre-accession fund already this year. "I hope we can prepare this study by the end of the year because in this case we are not starting from scratch. The study should take into account not just construction of the bridge, but also a corridor through the Neum area, a combination of the corridor and ferry services, all possible solutions."

"We have made an important step by opening this possibility. Now it is up to us to prove (that it can be done) and I hope we will succeed in it," Pusic said.

Pusic said that the idea of building the Peljesac bridge with financial support from the EU had aroused a great interest among different departments of the European Commission. Before meeting her, Commissioner Hahn had held an interdepartmental meeting on this issue.

"Obviously, it is important to discuss this not just with the Commissioner for Regional Policy, but also with the Enlargement Commissioner, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, with the section of the Commission dealing with phytosanitary standards," she said.

Pusic said that Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele had scheduled a meeting for the second half of September to discuss the present border crossings at the entrance to and the exit from the Neum area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which must be finished by July 1 next year when Croatia will join the EU.

"Since there is no bridge or a corridor, that must be completed before our entry into the EU, but that cannot be a long-term solution. It must be either a corridor through Bosnia and Herzegovina in which there will be no stopping, or a bridge, which will mean that (travellers) will not leave Croatian territory," the minister said.

When asked if in this context the Croatian port of Ploce was also discussed, Pusic said that that issue was not on the agenda today but that it certainly would have to be discussed. She said that Croatia could decide on its own on certain aspects of this issue, such as participation of Bosnian representatives on the port management, adding that Croatia had a positive view on that matter. On the other hand, with regard to the transport of goods from the port to Bosnia and Herzegovina through Croatian territory, Croatia should decide on it together with EU institutions, she added.