Bosnia and Herzegovina lawmakers voted on January 16 to connect the country's gas network to that of Croatia, as the country was under pressure from the United States to end its energy dependence on Russia.
Bosnia is completely dependent on Russian gas, which it receives through the TurkStream pipeline – the only functional pipeline carrying Russian gas to Europe – and through the interconnection with Serbia, in the east of the country.
The US Embassy in Sarajevo welcomed the decision of lawmakers in Bosnia.
"This is an important moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for the United States. It is an opportunity to address a national security concern for both countries: Bosnia's dependence on Russian gas," the US Embassy said in a statement shortly before the vote.
"The United States does not want any of its friends and partners in Europe to be exposed to potential Russian blackmail, and this includes Bosnia and Herzegovina," the statement added.
Bosnia, which has a population of 3.5 million, consumed 225 million cubic meters of gas in 2023.
Among other things, the project will connect Bosnia's gas system with the liquefied natural gas terminal on the Croatian island of Krk.
The project also includes the construction of a 180-kilometer gas pipeline, of which 160 kilometers would be in Bosnia. The construction value of this pipeline is estimated to be around 200 million euros.
Its construction has been debated for years, and the main Bosniak-Croat party has called for it to be built by a new company, dominated by the Croat community. But the project will be managed by an existing public company. (A2 Televizion)
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