The European Union is facing new tension with the United States and President Donald Trump after an attempt was made to delay the award of a strategic energy project in the Balkans, reports “The Guardian“, quoted by News.bg.
We are talking about the “Southern Interconnector“ project - a gas pipeline that should pass through Bosnia and Herzegovina and connect it to a liquefied natural gas terminal in Croatia. The main goal is to reduce the country's dependence on Russian gas.
According to documents cited by the publication, Brussels has warned the authorities in Sarajevo that an accelerated award of the project to the American company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy without a public procurement procedure could put Bosnia and Herzegovina's European integration at risk.
The company was established in November last year and has no proven experience in similar infrastructure projects, but is planning an investment of about $1.5 billion. Its leaders include people connected to Trump's inner circle, including Jesse Binal and Joe Flynn.
Changes to Bosnian law adopted in March allow for direct award of the contract without a tender, which NGOs say creates a risk of opacity.
The project is important for Europe's energy strategy as it is part of the EU's efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies, but it also raises concerns about political influence over key infrastructure.
The case is seen as the potential first serious dispute between the EU and Trump's inner circle over a specific infrastructure project in Europe.