IUS Seminar Discusses Southern Gas Interconnection’s Role in Energy Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina

On Monday, November 3, 2025, the International University of Sarajevo hosted a seminar dedicated to the Southern Interconnection, a natural gas pipeline planned to link Bosnia and Herzegovina with Croatia’s gas network. The seminar focused on the pipeline's role in enhancing the energy security of this country. This event was part of the Jean Monnet Module “European Energy Security,” an EU-funded project led by Associate Professor Dr. Aliaksandr Novikau from the Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) study program.

Moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Jahja Muhasilović, also from the PSIR program, the seminar featured expert presentations and panel discussion on the implications of the Southern Gas Interconnection project for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mr. Ismet Fatih Čančar, Advisor to the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a PhD student at IUS, explained the project’s significance for the country's energy security and the internal political tensions surrounding it. Emina Veljović, Executive Director of the Aarhus Center Sarajevo and also a PhD student at IUS, raised environmental concerns related to the project. Denis Žiško, an energy and climate change expert from the Aarhus Center, questioned the economic feasibility of the Southern Interconnection. Finally, Dr. Aliaksandr Novikau discussed the role of international actors, including Croatia and the United States, in supporting the project.

The seminar concluded with a vibrant panel discussion that brought together the varied expertise and perspectives of the panelists as well as engaging questions from the audience.