"The government's strategic goal is to efficiently link Croatian territory, which is also the EU's goal because Croatian territory will become Union territory. Because of Schengen and phytosanitary standards, it's important that there are no departures from the Schengen rules and from this position the bridge is the cleanest solution," Pusic told Croatian Television.

She said the preliminary study would take into account the bridge not only as a solution to the transport linking of Croatian and European territory but also as a bridge through the Neum hinterland.

Pusic said the allocation of European funds was a good sign that the construction of the bridge would also be financed with EU funds, announcing the making of a feasibility study and a project to apply for EU funds for the construction.

She said the construction could be financed with 85% of European and 15% Croatian funds and that the European money would be available in 2014, when construction would begin.

Pusic said the ratification of the Tudjman-Izetbegovic agreement on the Croatian-Bosnian border was not a direct condition for obtaining the European funds for the construction of the Peljesac Bridge.

"But that's important politically because we would show willingness to solve problems bilaterally and technically, as the bridge must be 500 metres from the border, so it would be good if (the border) was confirmed."

She announced for September 19 a meeting with the European Commission and Bosnian officials on the regime of the transport of goods through Neum after Croatia joins the EU on July 1, 2013.

Pusic announced she would meet with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic on the fringes of the autumn session of the UN General Assembly.