EU risks fallout with US over Trump-linked Balkans pipeline plan
Summary
The European Union (EU) is concerned about a pipeline project in Bosnia linked to a company with close ties to President Trump. The company, led by Trump associates, is set to build a pipeline to bring U.S. gas to Bosnia, which currently relies on Russian gas. The EU warned Bosnia that rushing the contract could harm its chances to join the EU.Key Facts
- The pipeline will run through Bosnia and Herzegovina, connecting to a U.S. liquefied natural gas terminal off Croatia.
- A U.S. company called AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, linked to Trump’s lawyer Jesse Binnall and Joe Flynn, is set to receive the pipeline contract.
- AAFS was created in November last year and has no clear track record on large projects.
- Bosnia passed a law requiring the contract to go to AAFS without a competitive process, raising transparency concerns.
- The EU warned Bosnia that ignoring EU rules and rushing the contract could hurt Bosnia's EU membership prospects.
- The pipeline aims to reduce Bosnia’s dependence on Russian gas by 2028, following EU plans to stop Russian gas use.
- The involvement of Trump-connected people in the project is a new source of tension between the EU and the U.S.
- Related political lobbying by people close to Trump has also influenced sanctions and political situations in Bosnia.
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