Journals / Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 84

Border Disputes Between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia: The Case of the Pelješac Bridge

Bosna-Hersek ve Hırvatistan Arasındakı Sınır Sorunları: Pelješac Köprüsü Örneği

Murat Derin(TEKİRDAĞ NAMIK KEMAL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-7367-4223
Pages
215–228
Publication Date
2025-04-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that the Pelješac Bridge restricts Bosnia and Herzegovina’s maritime access, weakens its sovereignty, escalates border tensions, and raises economic, political, and legal debates within the context of international law.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines the border disputes between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia through the case of the Pelješac Bridge, assessing its legal, economic, and geopolitical implications for regional dynamics.
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Key Findings & Data:The primary objective of the study is to explore how the construction of the bridge has shaped border disputes and to what extent the parties have fulfilled their obligations under international law.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that the Pelješac Bridge restricts Bosnia and Herzegovina’s maritime access, weakens its sovereignty, escalates border tensions, and raises economic, political, and legal debates within the context of international law.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Bosna Hersek · Hırvatistan · Neum anlaşması

Abstract

This study examines the border disputes between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia through the case of the Pelješac Bridge, assessing its legal, economic, and geopolitical implications for regional dynamics. The primary objective of the study is to explore how the construction of the bridge has shaped border disputes and to what extent the parties have fulfilled their obligations under international law. To this end, national and international legal documents, diplomatic records, academic studies, and official reports have been analyzed, providing a historical and legal framework for the border disputes. The findings indicate that the Pelješac Bridge restricts Bosnia and Herzegovina’s maritime access, weakens its sovereignty, escalates border tensions, and raises economic, political, and legal debates within the context of international law. Furthermore, it has been determined that Croatia has not fully adhered to international maritime law norms in the implementation of the project. In this context, the Pelješac Bridge affects not only the border disputes between the two countries but also directly influences the geopolitical balance in the Adriatic region. This study presents a new framework for addressing border disputes from an international legal perspective and contributes significantly to the literature by offering solutions for similar conflicts.

Özet

Bosna-Hersek ile Hırvatistan arasındaki sınır anlaşmazlıklarını Pelješac Köprüsü örneği üzerinden ele alan bu çalışma, köprünün bölgesel dinamikler üzerindeki hukuki, ekonomik ve jeopolitik etkilerini değerlendirmektedir. Çalışmanın temel amacı, köprünün inşasının sınır ihtilaflarını nasıl şekillendirdiğini ve tarafların uluslararası hukuk çerçevesinde doğan yükümlülüklerini ne ölçüde yerine getirdiğini ortaya koymaktır. Bu doğrultuda, ulusal ve uluslararası hukuk belgeleri, diplomatik metinler, akademik çalışmalar ve resmi raporlar incelenerek, sınır uyuşmazlıkları tarihsel ve hukuki bağlamda analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, Pelješac Köprüsü’nün Bosna-Hersek’in deniz erişimini kısıtladığını, egemenlik haklarını zayıflattığını, sınır gerilimlerini artırdığını ve uluslararası hukuk bağlamında ekonomik, siyasi ve hukuki tartışmalara neden olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca, Hırvatistan, projeyi Bosna-Hersek’in deniz yetki iddialarını dikkate almadan yürütmüştür. Bu bağlamda, Pelješac Köprüsü yalnızca iki ülke arasındaki sınır ihtilaflarını değil, aynı zamanda Adriyatik bölgesindeki jeopolitik dengeleri de doğrudan etkilemektedir. Çalışma, sınır anlaşmazlıklarının uluslararası hukuk perspektifinden ele alınmasına yönelik yeni bir çerçeve sunmakta ve benzer ihtilaflar için çözüm önerileri getirerek literatüre önemli bir katkı sağlamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Derin, M. (2025). Border Disputes Between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia: The Case of the Pelješac Bridge. Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Sayı: 84, 215–228. https://doi.org/10.51290/dpusbe.1589539

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