"Well, first of all, we were directly at the meeting as the Committee for Industry, Energy, and Mining with American investors and representatives of the American embassy. So, what is stated in the law, the written name of the company and so on of the company that will carry this out, indeed, investors from the United States, as well as embassy representatives, actually clearly emphasized to us that they did not request that in the law. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining, headed by Minister Lakić, considered it should be done that way, although it is clear even to a first-year law student that it is an individual act, not a general act," said Mešalić.
Mešalić said he thinks there will once again be amendments and supplements to the law when this becomes unenforceable.
"The attitude towards the Southern Interconnection and such a large project of one and a half billion euros, the largest investment project in the Balkans, I am sorry that the Government of the Federation has such an attitude towards such an investment. We are witnesses that the prime minister is not here, the finance minister is also not, so both deputy prime ministers and the entire government, except for one sectoral minister who is the only one present at the session, which speaks absolutely everything about the attitude of the Troika and HDZ towards this project," stated Mešalić.
He noted that it is not encouraging that there are many unknowns that will be determined by the contract and that the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will have an obligation to protect state property on the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"We talked with investors, held meetings. I will just tell you as it was presented to us, that there are bank guarantees from foreign banks for this investment, and that is information from Minister Lakić. That there are certain bank guarantees—I have not seen them, nor did I have the right to see them because I am in the opposition, not the government. This role of parliament is important to us in terms of ultimate control and supervision over the investment. Regarding bank guarantees, Mr. Lakić said that there are bank guarantees from foreign banks, and the investor said that they do not request bank guarantees or any investment from the Government of the Federation, that is, investments in this project," said Mešalić.
Mešalić stated that the deadline for the pipeline itself is until 2028, and the gas power plants would be built seven years from the first pipe laying.
"At least three gas power plants, one headquartered in Mostar, one in Kaknje, and the third in Tuzla," said Mešalić.
He concluded that the project is necessary for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.