US Charge d'Affaires: Energy security key to Bosnia's prosperity, Southern Interconnection first step

Speaking about energy security and the partnership between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ginkel stressed that BiH has all the conditions for a bright future, supported by reliable, secure, and affordable energy.

"Our mission is clear: energy security improves lives and strengthens the relationship between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina," he said.

Ginkel recalled that at last month’s Three Seas Initiative Summit in Dubrovnik, a joint declaration of intent was signed between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and the United States in support of the construction of the Southern Interconnection pipeline.

"This is not just a pipeline, but a path toward energy diversification and ending dependence on suppliers that use energy as a weapon," he emphasized.

He added that US companies possess the resources and expertise needed to ensure reliable energy supplies, which are essential for attracting investment and supporting long-term economic growth.

Addressing the broader energy portfolio, Ginkel stressed that energy security is not limited to gas but also includes nuclear energy, hydrocarbons, and renewable sources. He noted that the United States is experiencing a golden age of nuclear innovation and is developing safe modular reactors, which could open a new chapter in US–European cooperation.

According to Ginkel, Bosnia and Herzegovina has significant untapped hydropower potential, while remaining fully dependent on imported petroleum products.

"We encourage Bosnia and Herzegovina to remove the 10 percent import tariff that undermines the competitiveness of US petroleum products and increases the country’s vulnerability to supply disruptions," Ginkel said.

He added that renewable energy sources remain important, but that a one-sided focus on them over the past decade has shown they are not sufficient on their own to ensure productivity and competitiveness.

According to him, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future depends on building the necessary energy infrastructure and implementing regulatory reforms that will enable investment and modernization.

"The Southern Interconnection is the beginning, but more is needed, from resolving issues related to state property to investing in gas distribution and strengthening partnerships between US and local companies," he said.

The United States, he added, supports these efforts through diplomatic engagement, technical assistance, financing through institutions such as the US International Development Finance Corporation, and the expertise of American companies ready to invest in the region.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future can be bright, but it is impossible without affordable, reliable, and secure energy. More American companies in BiH mean greater reliability, better technology, increased investment, and stronger bilateral ties," Ginkel concluded, emphasizing that energy security not only improves citizens’ lives but also strengthens ties between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.