SDA, SDP, DF, NiP, NS, HDZ... Voted for Amendments to the South Interconnection Law

(Patria) - The House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament adopted the Bill on Amendments to the South Interconnection Law at today's extraordinary session.

A total of 79 representatives supported this legal solution, two were against, and one abstained.



All parties in the House of Representatives supported the law, except for two representatives from the Party of Social Democracy, who had previously announced they would not, because the new legal solution encroaches on the Dayton Peace Agreement and eliminates BH-Gas as the project holder. The only abstainer was Slaven Raguž (HRS).

A conclusion by representative Damir Mašić was also adopted, obliging the FBiH Government to regularly report to the House of Representatives at least twice a year on the implementation of the South Interconnection project after the contract is concluded, including the financial aspects of the project, the dynamics of work execution, identified risks, and any deviations from planned activities.

After the representative debate was exhausted, a break followed, lasting more than two and a half hours, as the preparation of an amendment was awaited, which was subsequently abandoned.

The relevant minister, Vedran Lakić, explained the reasons for the long break, stating that the entire process would be completely transparent.

- There was a dilemma regarding state property. We intended to prepare an amendment that would specify that nothing in this law may contradict legal documents relating to state property.

We abandoned that because we believe the text of the law should not be changed, but we will incorporate this stance into the contract between the FBiH Government and the investor. The implementation of the project lies ahead - said Lakić.

With the amendments to this law, in addition to the existing main route for the supply of liquefied gas from the West to the Federation of BiH via the Republic of Croatia, with branches to Grude, Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje, Donji Vakuf, and Čapljina, and the new route from Kladanj to Tuzla, the name of the American investor - the company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy d.o.o., registered in Sarajevo, which is wholly owned by the American company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy LLC - has been included in the text. BH-Gas has been eliminated from the text as the project holder.

Let us remind you, the company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy LLC previously submitted a Letter of Intent and an offer for the realization of the project for the construction of the "South Interconnection Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia" gas pipeline.

As announced by the FBiH Government, these documents confirm serious interest in investing in a strategic project aimed at improving the energy security of the Federation of BiH, attracting foreign investment, and diversifying gas supply sources.

For this law to enter into force, it must also be adopted by the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament, whose session is scheduled for April 15.