The construction works on a section of the Belgrade-Southern Adriatic highway from Ljig to Preljina began in the village of Dici, around 90 km south of Belgrade, on Friday.

The construction of the section long 40 km will cost around EUR 308 million, and it should be completed for three years and a half. The stone was laid by presidential nominee of the 'Choice for a Better Life' coalition Boris Tadic and Azerbaijani Ambassador to Serbia Eldar Hasanov.

Tadic, who facilitated the cooperation with Azerbaijan on this important infrastructure project, stressed that the partnership with that country, which is a result of cooperation, friendship and understanding with its President Heydar Aliyev enhances the prospects for further cooperation in other domains such as energy, chemical industry.

“Azerbaijan has seen dynamic growth. I believe that Serbia can also achieve strong growth in the coming period,” Tadic said.

He voiced expectation that the works on a section of the highway between Belgrade and Ljig will begin by the year's end.

“I hope that the construction companies will seize this opportunity, and together with Azerbaijani companies penetrate the third markets,” Tadic said.

For the highway construction, Serbia was granted a loan worth EUR 308 million by the Azerbaijani government, at a fixed interest rate of 4 percent for 15 years, with a three-year grace period.

The route comprises three sections: Ljig-Boljkovci, Boljkovci-Takovo and Takovo-Preljina, and the main building contractor is Azerbaijani company AzVirt, while almost half of the works will be done by Serbian construction companies.

The Belgrade-Southern Adriatic highway will connect Serbia and Montenegro, and will be the shortest possible route between Belgrade and Southern Adriatic, and should also connect Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and Italy.

The route should include two loops - Takovo and Preljina, 78 bridges, 5 tunnels, a large number of noise reducing walls.

The ceremony marking the start of construction works was attended by Minister of Infrastructure Milutin Mrkonjic, Minister of Environment Oliver Dulic, Director of Corridor 10 Mihajlo Misic and representatives of AzVirt.