Three cantons in Bosnia and Herzegovina — the Herzegovina-Neretva, West Herzegovina, and Canton 10, have refused to grant urban planning consent for the construction of a crucial gas pipeline. BH Gas officials argue that they are merely seeking amendments to the initial project proposal, but a former director claims that the refusal stems from political blockades by the Croat Democratic Union (HDZ BiH).

Dragan Covic, the HDZ BiH leader, previously demanded that a new company be responsible for implementing the project to connect Bosnia and Herzegovina's gas network with Croatia. This move has drawn criticism from the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Federation entity government's withdrawal and ongoing disputes

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) entity Government has withdrawn the draft law on the Southern Interconnection multiple times. Amid continuous U.S. Embassy warnings to Covic and his HDZ BiH, three cantons have refused to grant urban planning consent.

Edis Bakovic, the BH Gasacting director, told N1 that the issue lies in the requested amendments, which could be incorporated into the main project.

“The said cantons failed to issue urban planning consent because the initial project included a connection point, and they are demanding a branch line for Mostar. This can easily be addressed during the main project's development. BH Gas remains firmly committed to completing this project, and we have allocated funds for the main project,” Bakovic explained.

Accusations of Political Obstruction

However, former BH Gas director Almir Becarevic argues that the delays are due to HDZ BiH's desire to establish a new company, Southern Interconnection doo. Becarevic emphasized that 4 million Bosnian marks (roughly €2 million) have already been allocated for previous projects and that HDZ's actions are solely to create a new company for their benefit.

He recalled the US Embassy's public warnings, adding that these three cantons had previously granted environmental permits. Canton 10 included BH Gas as an investor in its 2008 spatial plan, and the pipeline route has been planned since then.

“This is pure HDZ politics sabotaging the project for their private interests, aiming to establish their company and potentially blackmail Sarajevo in the future,” Becarevic stated firmly.

Uncertain Future

Recently, FBiH authorities established a working group to find a solution for connecting Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Southern Interconnection. However, a resolution remains elusive. BH Gas has been ready for years, having received environmental permits in 2021, but three years later, urban planning consent was denied.

Despite new blockades, the FBiH Parliament has yet to discuss solutions, although the House of Representatives passed the initial law long ago, only to be stalled by amendments in the House of Peoples. The continued impasse raises concerns about the prospects for Bosnia and Herzegovina's energy independence, with years needed for both the main project's completion and the pipeline's construction if current trends persist.