Chairwoman Krišto in Neum at Opening of 2023 Energy Summit in BIH

Chairwoman of the Council of Mnisters of BIH Borjana Krišto addressed to participants of the 2023 Energy Summit in Bosnia and Herzegovina, after which she took part in an introductory panel “Energy Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina between Energy Transition and Crisis”. 

Chairwoman Krišto said in her introductory address that she is pleased by organisation of the Summit, where all relevant participants discuss challenges and issues largely affecting Bosnia and Herzegovina.

She said Bosnia and Herzegovina on its rod to the European Union has to encounter numerous challenges and find optimal solutions, the imperative if which is energy transition. She added that all actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina are aware of the fact that comprehensive energy system transition, which includes environmental and climate aspects, is a demanding, long term and complex process, the implementation of which is especially demanding for “small” countries, such Bosnia and Herzegovina is. She stressed that there is no recipe for transition, and BIH authorities have to define on their own, by achieved consensus of key actors, vision and strategic options as to energy sector development, since the effective energy sector transformation, added to a shift to clear sources of energy, only may secure stability and security.

“It is our obligation, stemming from the Energy Community Treaty, Paris Agreement and Sofia Declaration on Green Agenda for Western Balkans, equally as it is a development opportunity, since the energy sector is one of the most important branches of economy. All those exercises, fulfilment of commitments, transfer to transition fuels as the beginning of the decarbonisation process, emission reduction and energy efficacy, are not solely commercial issues, but they are the issues of stability, security and strength of society”, Krišto stressed.

Turning to the issues of national gas supply, Chairwoman Krišto underlined the justifiability of a need for Bosnia and Herzegovina to develop its natural gas transport system throughout its territory, by providing new transport routes and diversification of sources of supply, since it has no its own natural gas sources and now it gets supplied exclusively through a single transport route, and its gas pipeline system is not developed as in countries of the region. She added that a certain progress is being made in implementation of diversification of gas interconnections.

Chairwoman Krišto underlined that it is necessary to have an open dialogue on current circumstances at energy market and geopolitical turmoil and turn the joint good will, energy and genuine dedication towards the shared European value system.

Reminding the panel to activities finalised over the past period of time and to international obligation of BIH, Chairwoman Krišto said she expects adoption of a 2030 Integrated Energy and Climate Plan of BIH (NECP BIH), by the end of this year, which will be the meaningful energy policy document and plan framework for cross-sector approach in addressing climate changes. (end)