She reiterated that a European Commission preliminary feasibility study showed that two variants of the bridge, with access roads and a road across the Peljesac peninsula, had received the most votes among several options of how to connect Croatia's south with the rest of the country.

Pusic said the information from the study was a good starting position for the realisation of the project.

She said that based on last year's talks with European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele, Bosnia and Herzegovina was in a position to state its opinion and position on the best solution for connecting Croatia's south with the rest of the country.

"There's no doubt that we will consult Bosnia. We now have a positive element which indicates that the job could be successfully completed, which depends on our capabilities, knowledge and intelligence. Of course we will talk with the neighbours, as we did in the past."

Bosnian Council of Ministers Chairman Vjekoslav Bevanda said on Friday that Croatia's request to build the Peljesac bridge was legitimate. He said Bosnia did not have an official position on the matter but that he expected the two countries to reach an agreement.

"Of course, I expect the bridge to be constructed in agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina, (taking into account) its interests and the interests of (its town of) Neum."

Bosnian Transport and Communications Minister Damir Hadzic too said he had nothing against the construction of a bridge that would not jeopardise Bosnia's interests.