US gas deal in Bosnia tests EU rules

A US-backed gas project meant to cut Bosnia’s dependence on Russia has opened a new dispute with Brussels.

The Southern Interconnection pipeline would link Bosnia to the LNG terminal on Croatia’s Krk island, giving Sarajevo direct access to non-Russian gas for the first time.

The 236km project is expected to cost about $1.5bn and could be completed in 2028.

Bosnia now relies heavily on Russian gas delivered through TurkStream, via Bulgaria and Serbia.

But the project has raised EU concerns after a 30-year concession was awarded to a US company without a public tender.

Brussels has warned that bypassing standard procurement rules could affect Bosnia’s energy integration and access to development funds.