Accelerate construction of the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline between BiH and Croatia

(Patria) - Federal Minister of Energy, Industry and Mining Nermin Džindić held a meeting today at the seat of the Government of the Federation of BiH in Sarajevo with representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to BiH and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the construction of Block 7 of the Tuzla Thermal Power Plant, the Southern Interconnection in FBiH, and on the development of a national energy and climate plan.

On behalf of the EU Delegation to BiH, Head of Cooperation Department Stefan Eller, Political Advisor Dijana Dedić, and Head of the Energy Sector Tarik Hubana, and on behalf of the EBRD, Head of BiH Department Manuela Naessl, presented their views on the energy transition, which is a top priority for the European Union.

The EU Delegation confirmed the EU's stance that the construction of Block 7 in Tuzla is not an economically and environmentally sustainable project, and that European partners are ready to financially assist the Federation in alternative solutions related to electricity supply security, employment, and addressing problems in the mining sector that arise from potentially abandoning coal dependency. The readiness of the World Bank to assist in employment was also highlighted.

The EU's transition direction, as the guests emphasized, includes the construction of the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline as a medium-term solution, and the implementation of renewable energy source projects in the long term.

Minister Džindić emphasized that the Government of FBiH is fully aware of the European Commission's concerns, stressing the need to consider the position that the construction project of Block 7 is already in the implementation phase.

"The Parliament of the Federation of BiH has given its consent for the construction of Block 7, and only the Parliament can make any further decisions regarding this project. We have previously expressed our readiness to organize meetings in Brussels on this topic with all relevant European representatives, so that the Federation receives the necessary assistance in the process of achieving energy independence and addressing social sensitivity," stated Minister Džindić.

He recalled that for the Government of FBiH, the construction of the Southern Interconnection is also a top priority, but that it is necessary to ensure the BiH connection at the border with the Republic of Croatia.

"The European Union can greatly assist us in transcribing all European energy directives into BiH laws, but equally in both entities and at the level of the state of BiH," said Džindić, expressing his expectation that the resolution of these strategic issues will be concretized with the involvement of all competent actors in the electricity and energy sector.