(ANSA) - SARAJEVO - The managers of Russia's Gazprom and the
president and the prime minister of Republika Srpska (RS, the
Serb-majority entity of Bosnia), Milorad Dodik and Zaljka
Cvijanovic - according to local media - have signed in Moscow a
contract for direct gas supply to the Rs, at a reduced price,
bypassing 'Bh gas', company based in Sarajevo which has so far
played an intermediary role in the purchase of Russian gas. In
order to come into force, however, the new contract needs to be
approved by the Bosnian parliament, and this looks unlikely,
given that the leadership of the other Bosnian entity, the
Federation of BH (Croat Muslim majority), has long since opposed
Bosnia's dependency on Russian gas. With Zarubeznjeft, however,
Dodik and Cvijanovic have agreed on the continuation of Russian
investments in the RS, including the modernization of the oil
refinery in Bosanski Brod. Moreover, Dodik said that the
construction of a section of the South Stream gas pipeline
through the RS was announced. At Moscow authorities' request,
Russia's VTB Bank has granted a 76 million euro loan, intended
to fill the empty coffers of the Bosnian Serb entity. Russia's
financial and political support is being particularly emphasized
by the Bosnian Serb government in the ongoing campaign ahead of
general election which will be held on October 12. (ANSA).
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