Bosnia has voted to connect its gas network to Croatia, taking a decisive step to reduce its reliance on Russian energy.
Bosnia has just taken a huge step towards cutting its reliance on Russian energy by voting to connect its gas network with Croatia. The move comes after intense pressure from the United States to sever ties with Moscow and secure a more stable energy future.
Currently, Bosnia is almost entirely dependent on Russian gas, imported via the Turkish Stream pipeline and an eastern link with Serbia. But this new decision signals a fresh start, linking Bosnia to European energy supplies.
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo called the vote a “major win” for both Bosnia and the United States. “We cannot let our allies face the risk of Russian blackmail,” the embassy stated ahead of the vote.
With a population of 3.5 million, Bosnia consumed a staggering 225 million cubic meters of gas in 2023. Now, Bosnia will tap into Croatia’s liquefied natural gas terminal on the island of Krk. The project also includes a 180-kilometer pipeline, 160 kilometers of which will run through Bosnia, at a cost of around 200 million euros.
The plan has faced years of debate. Despite resistance from Bosnia’s Bosniak-Croat party, which wanted a new company to handle the project, it will now be managed by an existing public company.
