"When and if we secure the money, then we will open construction sites. Without that there is no opening of construction sites. We've watched that film and we won't be watching it anymore", the PM told his cabinet.

He recalled Croatia had constructed its motorways without European funding and concluded that we then "have the moral right to seek something".

Minister Pusic underscored that the border regime to Bosnia and Herzegovina comes into force on 1 July with Croatia's entry to the EU and that a solution was being sought to connect Croatian territory and with that EU territory without border crossings which could be funded from EU funds.

"The solution that in many ways adheres to Schengen standards is a bridge, however, the question is how to obtain funding from the EU to finance its construction. That task awaits us and while we don't have a bridge, we have to define this matter this way", said Pusic.

She explained that the new border regime meant each country would issue cross-border passes for citizens of the other country.

We have requested that the EU approve the situation for Bosnian citizens to enter Croatia and the EU with their identification cards, she said.

She said that new regulations would apply for the Ploce Port too and it was up to both countries to exploit the port as much as possible.

The government has initiated proceedings to sign agreements on border crossings to Bosnia and Pusic stressed that it was agreed to set up two crossings and possibly a third in the future.

She informed that European Commission experts were inspecting crossings today which would be accredited for live animal and plant life.

Proceedings were launched for agreements on cross-border transport with Serbia and Montenegro which still operate according to the regime that was valid in the former Yugoslavia.