BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Opposition Wants Parliament to Discuss Oil Company Privatization

Helene Ryding — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 01:31:00 GMT

2005-10-27 12:52:48

The caucuses of the BiH Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Bosnian Party (BOSS) have launched an initiative for holding of an extraordinary session of the BiH Federation House of Representatives, which would be dedicated to privatization of Energopetrol.

These two parties are asking for information from the BiH Federation government on the decision on selection of strategic partner in additional capitalization of Energopetrol and adoption of a conclusion of the House, which defines the obligation of the BiH Federation government to cancel the decision on the selection of strategic partner with a proposal of measures for resolving the status of Energopetrol.

"We learned from the press that the government made a decision at its session on October 14 in Mostar to select INA-MOL consortium for strategic partners in additional capitalization of Energopetrol," the caucuses said.

Having in mind the announcement that the final contract is to be concluded by the end of November, the SDP and BOSS caucuses think that it is necessary to discuss this matter, otherwise there can be very damaging consequences for the BiH Federation and its citizens.

Source: ONASA

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REGION: South Eastern Europe Energy Community Treaty Signed

Helene Ryding — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 01:27:00 GMT

2005-10-26 13:20:58

Eight Balkan countries will join forces in Athens with the European Union today to establish a single regulatory framework for transporting energy in Southeastern Europe, in a bid to advance the region’s position on the world power map.
A treaty was signed by British Trade and Industry Minister Alan Johnson on behalf of the EU and by ministers from Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and Turkey.

It will help ensure that countries in the region adopt EU single market regulations on energy regarding petrol, natural gas and electricity markets.

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas described the treaty, which Greece also signed, as an historic agreement that will help unify the energy sectors. “The signing of this treaty creates new conditions for the economy, peace, stability and security in the wider region,” Sioufas said.

The treaty also aims at creating a stable regulatory environment that will boost energy investment in the region.

The World Bank has estimated that 21 billion euros will be poured into energy investments in the region because of the pact. The unification process has also drawn the interest of countries that are not directly part of it.

According to the Development Ministry, the United States and Canada have also given financial support to the treaty. Greece has played a central role in the issue as the country pushes ahead with plans to develop its link with different energy grids.
Apart from agreeing to run a natural gas pipeline from Turkey to Greece, which will then go on to Italy, the government has also signed a deal for a pipeline to carry Russian oil through Bulgaria to northern Greece.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Opposition Wants Parliament to Discuss Oil Company Privatization

REGION: South Eastern Europe Energy Community Treaty Signed