The U.S. Embassy did not hide its delight over the outcome of the vote in the federal parliament, calling it a major breakthrough for the country's energy independence.
"Today was a fantastic day for energy security in BiH! The House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament adopted amendments to the Southern Interconnection Law and laid the groundwork for an American investor to build a pipeline that will bring American gas to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This pipeline will open new economic opportunities for all citizens of BiH," the U.S. Embassy stated.
They added that cooperation on the Southern Interconnection project strengthens bilateral relations between the two countries and that they are working together to open a new era of economic development in BiH.
Recall that the law was adopted at yesterday's marathon emergency session under an urgent procedure with 79 votes in favor. The session was marked by breaks during which attempts were made to agree on the text of amendments that would further protect state assets, but the FBiH Government ultimately did not accept any amendments.
The key change in the law involves stripping the domestic company "BH Gas" of jurisdiction over this pipeline. Instead, the text introduces an American investor, the company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy d.o.o., which is registered in Sarajevo and is fully owned by the eponymous American company. In addition to the main route, Energy Minister Vedran Lakiฤ confirmed the planning of new branches towards Grude, Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje, Donji Vakuf, ฤapljina, and from Kladanj towards Tuzla.
Although the government and the U.S. Embassy present it as a strategic triumph, the law has faced sharp criticism from the civil sector.
The Aarhus Center in BiH and the CEE Bankwatch Network called for the withdrawal of the law, arguing that it is unconstitutional and opens the door for "favoring an unknown investor without experience," whom they highlight as having only a political connection to Donald Trump as a reference. Nina Kreลกevljakoviฤ from the Aarhus Center warned of serious legal and financial risks due to the undefined obligations of the investor, while CEE Bankwatch emphasized that citizens still have not been presented with how much this project will cost.
The final word on this law will be given by the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament in seven days. If the law gets the green light, the next step is signing an interstate agreement with Croatia, which is expected at the end of April in Dubrovnik.