Vucic: Nis-Merdare motorway to boost development

MEROSINA - Opening the Nis-Merdare section of a motorway dubbed Peace Highway, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he was proud of the route, built to the highest international standards, as it would help the development of the Toplica District and southern Serbia and become one of the busiest roads in the country.

"I am proud this road will connect us with both Serbs and ethnic Albanians in Kosovo-Metohija. With ethnic Albanians in Pristina as well as with Serbs in Gracanica, and with Albanians in Tirana and Durres. Let me explain to the Serbs - and all others - who do not want to see the future: this will be one of the busiest roads in 20 to 30 years," Vucic said in a speech.

The section will be open to traffic from 1 pm on Wednesday.

Vucic thanked the EU for providing great assistance for the project.

"They have given us 40 mln euros for this road as a gift. I thank them for that. That is a lot of money for our country. In this area, that is a full-profile motorway spanning 3.5-4 km. I would especially like to thank the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which has helped us build this capital project under very favourable terms," Vucic said.