EU-funded project to reconstruct judicial institutions in East Sarajevo and Foča begins

Representatives of the local community, judiciary and the Delegation of the European Union (EUD) gathered in East Sarajevo and Foca on 4 April 2018 to mark the beginning of the project “Reconstructi...

Representatives of the local community, judiciary and the Delegation of the European Union (EUD) gathered in East Sarajevo and Foca on 4 April 2018 to mark the beginning of the project “Reconstruction of Prosecutor’s Office in East Sarajevo and Basic Court in Foca”.

The project is funded by the European Union in the amount of  EUR 2.5 million and will be implemented by the building company “Gradjenje, Pale” in consortium with “Porobic” and “Integral Inzenjering” together with supervision company “Safege” during a one-year period. The completion is planned for April next year.

The project is a part of a wider package of EU efforts in supporting modernisation and reconstruction of courts and prosecutors’ offices throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, as one of the ways to support to the enhancement of the rule of law in the country. The EU provided funds in the amount of over EUR 7.5 million for the reconstruction of 9 judicial institutions in BiH, which will start this year.

Chief Prosecutor Rajko Colovic and Secretary of the East Sarajevo District Prosecutor’s Office Neven Kramer together with the President of the Basic Court in Foca Cedo Skipina, stressed that the institutions are missing the space and that the buildings are in very poor condition difficult to maintain. The much-needed overall reconstruction will significantly improve the working environment and create adequate conditions for future effective functioning. They all expressed gratitude for the funding and assured that all involved will provide their full support needed for the successful completion of the works.

Elma Prcic Bilic, EUD Programme Manager stressed that this project is a result of successful cooperation among EUD, end users, the High Judicial Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) and governments of Sweden and Norway, which financed preparation of the design documentation. “The EU Delegation is particularly happy to support, in the Year of Cultural Heritage,  the reconstruction of the Foca Court that is occupying historic building and thus with this project contributing to the protection of the cultural heritage as well,” she concluded.