A U.S. private company could take over the construction and operation of the long-delayed gas pipeline linking Bosnia and Herzegovina with Croatia’s gas network, according to a proposal presented by U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Sarajevo, John Ginkel. He introduced the idea during a meeting with leaders of the political parties that form the governing coalition in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in an effort to break the stalemate surrounding the Southern Gas Interconnection project. The planned pipeline would connect the Croatian and Bosnian gas systems from Zagvozd to Posušje, then toward Mostar and central Bosnia.
Ginkel discussed the possibility of a U.S. company taking charge of developing, building, and operating the pipeline, arguing that such an arrangement could accelerate implementation more effectively than current domestic efforts. Political leaders at the meeting expressed general support for the proposal and agreed to continue detailed negotiations. Investment from the American private sector could significantly speed up the project and enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to access U.S. LNG supplies, strengthening its overall energy security.
Bosnian Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković welcomed the proposal, saying domestic political actors would struggle to reach consensus on their own. He noted that the project could position Bosnia and Herzegovina as a transit route for gas flowing from Croatia’s LNG terminal on Krk toward other countries. According to Konaković, the plan under consideration would grant the U.S. company a concession lasting 30 to 50 years.
The Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina passed the Southern Gas Interconnection law in January, encouraged in part by the Biden administration’s push to reduce the country’s reliance on Russian gas. However, no progress has been made since then. The project stalled because the Croatian Democratic Union of BiH (HDZ BiH) insisted that implementation be handed over to a new company based in Mostar, while the law designates Sarajevo-based BH-Gas as the responsible operator.
With political parties unable to reach agreement on a domestic solution, the United States has now stepped forward with an offer to assume responsibility for moving the project ahead.
