South Interconnection Law Adopted

The House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation passed the Bill on the South Interconnection Gas Pipeline of BiH - Republic of Croatia.

51 delegates voted for the Law, with 4 abstentions and 14 against.

This law enters into force eight days after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH.

Before the very end of the debate, delegates were addressed by Minister Vedran Lakić, who stated that BH Gas is the only company authorized for gas transport and the construction of the transport system in the FBiH. He added that BH Gas currently has 28 million on its account and that there is no doubt that this company is the only one that should build the South Interconnection.

Lakić also highlighted several professional qualities of BH Gas, mentioning the transport systems that BH Gas has built and which have been put into operation or are awaiting permits.

He emphasized that BH Gas has already undergone restructuring, and that the mandate of the Supervisory Board expires tomorrow, and it will soon be possible to appoint a new Supervisory Board by agreement. Lakić stressed that the South, West, and North Interconnections are important, as this will create a circular gas flow in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When this entire ring is completed, we can say that we are independent of Russian gas.

We no longer have time to wait, as gas is increasingly used in RS, which is why it is important to create a gas flow, Lakić concluded.

Damir Džeba, President of the Club of Croats, explained that they took a break to form a stance and that they unanimously supported the South Interconnection project, but also that they are against the outvoting of Croats in policy-making.

“Regarding the law, we did not have a consensus; with a large majority and three dissenting opinions, we said we were against it, expressing doubts about the positioning of BH Gas,” Džeba clarified.