How a gas pipeline deal could stall Bosnia's EU accession

"The project is strategically important for the country, as it would reduce Bosnia's dependence on Russian gas. Following Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU has pushed both member states and candidate countries to cut ties with Russian energy."

"EU Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina Luigi Soreca wrote to Bosnia's leadership, urging them to follow EU rules. He stressed that authorities must 'carefully consider the obligations' under the Energy Community Treaty when drafting energy legislation."

"Brussels supports reducing reliance on Russian energy but insists such projects follow transparent procedures and public procurement rules. The issue is not the pipeline itself, but how it is being awarded."

The Southern Interconnection pipeline aims to connect Bosnia-Herzegovina to a Croatian LNG terminal, reducing dependence on Russian gas. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU encourages energy diversification. However, concerns arise over the project's investor, AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, a newly formed US company with no pipeline experience. EU officials stress the importance of adhering to transparent procedures and public procurement rules to align with EU standards. The pipeline's approval process is critical for Bosnia's EU membership aspirations.

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