Opening Ceremony for Stari Most (Mostar Bridge)

Note:
Stari Most is the name of the Old Bridge in the local language

Mr. President, Representative of the European Union, Mr. Secretary-General, your Excellencies, distinguished guests and citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina,

On behalf of the World Bank and its President, James Wolfensohn, I want to express our sincere appreciation for the invitation to be with you in such a wonderful place on so joyous an occasion.

Some of you might be surprised to see the World Bank among the line-up of institutions and governments supporting the reconstruction of the Stari Most and other projects in the old town.  It’s true; we don’t normally “do” reconstruction of old bridges or towns.  The reason we wanted to be part of this effort is because we strongly believe that putting the bridge and its surroundings back together again provides an extraordinary opportunity for reconciliation among the peoples of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

This kind of reconciliation is a prerequisite for revitalizing the economy and rebuilding the social fabric of a land that was a synonym for suffering and conflict less than a decade ago.

The inauguration of the bridge is an important step on the way to achieving the goals we all share.  It represents a powerful symbol of the physical reconstruction of this lovely town as well as the emotional renewal we have witnessed among the citizens of this community and the country at large.

This magnificent bridge is much more than meets the eye, however pleasing that may be.  It is the fruit of an extraordinary partnership between the people of Mostar, the national and local authorities, and the international community.  We at the World Bank are proud to have worked alongside UNESCO, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the World Monuments Fund in support of the efforts of the country and the city.  I want to acknowledge the generous funding provided in this effort by Italy, the Netherlands, and Croatia as well as the Council of Europe Development Bank and the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Turkey, France and the European Union also provided direct financial support and technical assistance for the bridge.

This combined effort is more than a pooling of money.  It reflects the combined efforts of a “coalition of the committed”; one that remains determined to help this city and this country rebuild and start afresh after the suffering and strife of the 1990s.

An important lesson we take away from our experience in Mostar is that cultural heritage is a vital asset; one just as powerful as human and financial capital.  There are strong links between this sublime cultural artifact (the bridge) and this country’s ability to meet its contemporary social and economic goals.  In Mostar we are seeing the power of this linkage confirmed again as new opportunities and new hopes arise alongside the restored Stari Most.

Let me conclude by congratulating all those involved in this remarkable project.  It is an effort that is far greater than the sum of the relatively modest parts we have each played.  Our collective satisfaction comes from the sense that together we have contributed to the greater goal of peace, prosperity and a better future for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and those of neighboring countries.

I thank our hosts this evening for having given us the opportunity of joining in this celebration.

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