Connecting Bosnia on the TurkStream, a natural gas pipeline that replaced the South Stream project and which runs from Russia to Turkey with further extensions to the Southeast and Central Europe, would mean energy security and would help the country reduce the air pollution issue it faces every year, Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Minister Stasa Kosarac said Monday.
Both Bosnia's entities, Republika Srpska (RS) and Federation (FBiH), would benefit from the construction of the TurkStream leg through the country, according to the minister, as this would ensure a new natural gas source and strong energy security as well as economic and developmental potentials.
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“Therefore, I see the gasification of Republika Srpska and Federation – that means the whole country, as an important project that would enable the growth of the economy. Let me be precise, gas is relatively cheap and is characterised with simple usage both in households and in the economy. Cheaper energy source means cheaper production process, therefore lower price of final products,” said Kosarac.
He added that besides the cost-effectiveness, the use of gas is more acceptable in terms of ecology and environment protection.
“I am specifically pointing this out because the air pollution issue escalates every year in some of the cities in Bosnia, especially in Sarajevo, Tuzla and Zenica, and often in Banja Luka as well. That's why we must not ignore the ecological aspect of this project. Economic interest should be crucial in deciding on the pipeline construction and this must not serve as a subject of politicization,” he said expressing hope that the state-level institutions will see the benefits of a new gas supply source and will continue the gasification process across the country.
“I believe in the commitment of Chairman Zoran Tegeltija to have this composition of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina change the practice of slowing down the decision-making process at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions,” said the minister.
TurkStream is a mega-project that consists of two legs, originally stretching from Russia to Turkey but with one leg going further to the Southeast and Central Europe. The two legs have a capacity of 15.75 billion cubic metres.
