Senator Shaheen called for sanctions against Čović

(Patria) - A hearing was held before the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate for individuals nominated by US President Donald Trump as ambassadors to the Vatican, Chile, and Croatia.

Among other things, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina was also discussed, mentioned by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

She used her opening statement to speak about the historical context of the Western Balkans region.

"It is important that the US does not repeat foreign policy mistakes from the past. When something happens in the Western Balkans, we must react immediately.

Croatia plays an important role in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the entire region, including Croatia, will be key to Europe's energy separation from Russian gas," Shaheen said.

She also stated that she hopes Nicole McGraw will support the Dayton Peace Agreement and actively monitor how Croatia responds to the situation in BiH.

After the opening statements of the individuals nominated by Trump as US ambassadors to Chile, the Vatican, and Croatia concluded, Shaheen asked several questions for McGraw, as the potential future US ambassador to Croatia.

What is particularly interesting is that the first question was related to the "South Interconnection" project, and Shaheen identified one culprit for the delays in the project's construction.

She emphasized that Croatia has a significant role in stabilizing the entire region, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Previous administrations have supported the BiH energy sector to complete the South Interconnection, which would connect the energy infrastructure of Croatia and BiH, separating BiH from total dependence on Russian gas, while Croatia would become a regional leader.

The delay was caused by the leader of Bosnian Croats, Dragan Čović. He blocked this project, seeking ways to use the interconnection's construction to increase his power," Shaheen stated.

She asked McGraw if, if confirmed, she would, through discussions with Croatian authorities in Zagreb, put pressure on Čović to finally complete the project.

In her response, the person nominated by Trump said that she would "strive to, in coordination with Croatian authorities and the Embassy in Sarajevo, finally initiate the construction of the South Interconnection."

It is worth noting that McGraw stated in her response that the US ambassador to BiH is still Michael Murphy, even though he left our country several months ago.

"The project will increase the amount of American liquefied gas that we can sell in this region and will establish Croatia as a leader in the Balkans and an exporter of natural gas," McGraw said.

After her response, Shaheen addressed her again, saying she would seek US sanctions against Čović if he continues to block the project.

McGraw did not directly respond to Shaheen's statement, saying she did not have enough knowledge about sanctions.