Member of PA BiH Delegation to PA SEECP Nermin Mandra participated in Ankara at the meeting of General Committee for Economy, Energy and Infrastructure

Member of the Delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PA BiH) to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Cooperation Process in Southeast Europe (PA SEECP) Nermin Mandra participated in the meeting of the General Committee for Economy, Energy and Infrastructure, which was held in Ankara.

In his contribution within the framework of the central topic on the possibilities of regional cooperation of Southeastern European countries in the field of renewable energy, Mandra assessed that this is a topic that is increasingly shaping our present and future.

According to Mandra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, although geographically relatively small, is rich in natural resources that provide exceptional opportunities for the development of renewable energy sources.

"Our country already produces about 40% of its electricity from hydroelectric power plants, and this number could be even higher with more efficient use of existing and construction of new capacities. We also have growing investments in solar and wind power plants, which show that the energy transition is happening here too - although still at a slower pace than we would like," said Mandra.

Stressing that all countries in Southeast Europe are connected by the fact that no country can achieve the goals of sustainable development and decarbonization on its own, Mandra said that regional cooperation is the key to success.

Emphasizing that Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the idea of ​​forming a regional platform for energy transition planning, through which the countries of the region could work together on a road map towards a green future, Mandra said that regional cooperation would enable better utilization of the various potentials of the countries of Southeast Europe, better planning and balancing of energy production through cross-border networks and markets, and uniform and transparent access to investors through the harmonization of policies and regulatory frameworks.

"Regional cooperation, in addition to development and infrastructure, also implies common goals, exchange of knowledge, training of personnel, regional canters for innovation and development. Together we can do more. If we connect our capacities, harmonize strategies and ensure mutual trust, Southeastern Europe can become an energy-resistant, ecologically sustainable and competitive region. Bosnia and Herzegovina is open to dialogue, cooperation and partnership in this process", concluded Mandra.

In addition to parliamentarians from PA SEECP participants, representatives of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) also participated in the meeting in Ankara.

The draft resolution was also discussed, in which the role of renewable energy in building sustainable societies for the future of Southeastern Europe was underlined, and the importance of regional cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources in Southeastern Europe was emphasized. This document, which should be adopted at the plenary session of the PA SEECP in Tirana, promotes regional cooperation in Southeast Europe, which, as stated, is key to achieving energy security, reducing CO2 emissions and stimulating economic growth. (end)