Konaković at the Transatlantic Gas Security Summit, Special Focus on Reducing Dependence on Russian Energy

(Patria) - BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković participated today in the Transatlantic Gas Security Summit in Washington, at the invitation of the National Council for Energy Dominance.

The summit hosts were the Council's Chairman, US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and the Deputy Chairman, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

The summit brought together ministers and chief executive officers of leading energy companies with the aim of strengthening transatlantic cooperation in the area of secure and diversified natural gas supply in Europe.

During the program, panels and ministerial sessions were held on the future of energy relations between the US and Europe, re-industrialization for energy security and growth, and long-term commercial partnerships in the field of natural gas.

Special focus was placed on reducing dependence on Russian energy, expanding infrastructure, increasing the flow of American LNG to Eastern Europe, and developing long-term contracts and investments that form the foundation of Europe's energy security.

Konaković participated in the session "A Durable Transatlantic Partnership", dedicated to building a lasting transatlantic partnership in the field of energy, security, and economic growth.

In his address, he emphasized that the issue of energy for the countries of Central and Southeastern Europe is no longer just economic, but a matter of sovereignty, resilience, and long-term stability.

He stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina shares a common priority with its partners – a secure, reliable, and diversified supply of natural gas.

He particularly highlighted the importance of the Southern Gas Interconnection between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, which will enable access to the global LNG market, connection to LNG terminals on the Adriatic Sea, and reduce our almost complete dependence on a single entry point, opening up the possibility of long-term gas supply from various sources, especially from the USA.

At the end of the summit program, a Joint Statement on Strengthening Natural Gas Supply Security in Central and Eastern Europe was signed, by which the signatories expressed their joint commitment to diversifying supply sources and routes, strengthening regional infrastructure, improving commercial arrangements, and long-term energy stability and security.

The statement was signed by ministers and representatives of the Republic of Greece, the Republic of Bulgaria, Hungary, the Republic of Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the United States of America.

On the margins of the event, Konaković spoke with the US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and the US President's Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paul Zampolli.

During the meeting, the interlocutors exchanged views on strengthening the economic partnership between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States of America, with a special emphasis on energy cooperation, diversification of investments, and improving transatlantic economic connectivity.