Delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH participated in the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum in Vienna

Chairman of the Committee on Foreign and Trade Policy, Customs, Transport and Communications of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Safet Softić, and Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Integration of the PA BiH Zdenko Ćosić, participated in the meeting of the Parliamentary Plenum of the Energy Community held today in Vienna.

In the opening remarks, it was emphasized that accelerated regional integration of electricity, renewable energy and gas markets is crucial for strengthening energy security, supply stability, and further alignment with European Union legislation.

In his address to the participants of the Parliamentary Plenum, delegate Zdenko Ćosić stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina has recorded significant progress in the energy sector in recent months. He underlined that the adoption of the Law on the Regulator, Transmission and Electricity Market is expected by the end of the year, paving the way for market integration with the EU and the establishment of an electricity exchange. He also highlighted the importance of diversifying gas supply and developing the Southern Gas Interconnection for an efficient and competitive energy sector.

Participants of the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum assessed that the development of an interconnected and competitive regional electricity market will enable faster deployment of renewable energy sources, more efficient use of cross-border capacities, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and increased resilience of energy systems to crises and disruptions.

Through the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), the Energy Community will continue to support market-based support schemes, long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and Guarantees of Origin (GOs), thereby creating opportunities for new investments and greater market transparency.

Participants also emphasized the importance of efficient use of existing infrastructure capacities, including the Trans-Balkan Gas Pipeline, which represents a key corridor for secure and flexible supply.

The second part of the Parliamentary Plenum focused on decarbonization, environmental protection, and monitoring the implementation of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

In his address during this session, delegate Safet Softić emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina has committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. He noted that the adoption of the Law on the Regulator, Transmission and Electricity Market will create the conditions for a domestic carbon pricing system, and added that Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the EU model, plans to introduce an Emissions Trading System, which is one of the key tools for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

He warned that one of the greatest challenges for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the decarbonization and energy transition process is the phase-out of fossil fuels, particularly coal. In this regard, he said that BiH has made progress in the field of renewable energy, both in regulatory terms and in increasing production from renewable sources.

At the end of the meeting, it was concluded that progress in the region is evident, but challenges remain, and that a coordinated and politically supported approach is essential for achieving a secure, decarbonized, stable and interconnected regional energy system aligned with European standards and climate-neutrality goals.