"This is a project that for us has definitely a European dimension. This is a typical cohesion project which is huge for Croatia but not so big for the European Union and the (European) Commission. However, this is not yet a guarantee that we will make it, we do not make promises in advance," Milanovic said.

He went on to say that some time before he had instructed his cabinet ministers to hold talks in the European Commission about possibilities for Zagreb to apply the construction of the Peljesac Bridge for EU funding. The southernmost peninsula of Peljesac should be connected with the rest of Croatia by a route that would bypass a small stretch of land at which Bosnia and Herzegovina has access to the Adriatic Sea, which cuts off Croatia's south from the rest of the country. The solutions should be applied with Croatia's accession to the European Union, set for 1 July 2013 , and the enforcement of the Schengen Agreement.

Milanovic stressed that this project had a European dimension and that it was important for Croatia which, however, did not possess the necessary fund of EUR 400 million for that purpose.

This is clear to everyone, and even to those who have been manipulating the Croatian and the Dubrovnik public regarding this issue for ten years and who only paid lips service, he added.

He said that the idea of building a Peljesac bridge had been present for 11 years and that it had been publicly presented for the first time by Social Democratic politician, the late Ivan Sprlja.

"Our task is to interconnect the country in an acceptable and affordable manner," the SDP leader and premier said.

He added that the talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina on building a corridor through the Bosnian coastal stretch of Neum was also under way.

"I am aware that there are no overnight solutions," he stressed.