an hour agoWhy should Kosovo not say no, American gas? - Tells Berat Rukiqi
Periskopi(14 days ago)
(14 days ago)Berat Rukiqi from the Democratic League of Kosovo has declared that the US liquid gas project (LNG) in the region is part of a strategy launched during Donald Trump's first administration, aimed at strengthening energy and geopolitical security in Eastern and Central Europe.
In a letter published on Facebook, Rukiqi said this American approach was built on two main pillars: the removal of dependence on Chinese technologies 5G and the reduction of dependence on Russian energy resources and their influence in the region.
According to him, in this context Greece is designed to serve as the main hub for LNG supply through the port of Alexandropolis, while infrastructure extends further to countries of the region such as Northern Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.
Kosovo, according to Rukiqi, has been involved in discussions and plans to deal with this infrastructure, positioning it as part of a strategic regional energy network.
He said the LNG issue has been addressed under the Washington Agreement as well as through the engagement of American financial institutions such as EXIM Bank and the American Financial Corporation (DFC).
“Initially, the LNG case was included in the Washington Agreement, and then in several American companies' visits, E XIM Bank and the American Development Finance Corporation in the region, including Kosovo.
This has been clearly told companies from Kosovo and each government: any strategic co-operation with America means leaving Russian influence on energy and on Chinese technologies 5G.
On my visit, then, as Chairman of the Economic Ode, DFC headquarters, and at meetings with EXIM Bank officials in October 2020, it has become clear to us that the Trump I Administration would do its best to finance Kosovo also gasification for industry and heating needs, and infrastructure to access the port of Alexandria.
Even to give Kosovo strategic priority, Serbia's potential supply with LNG would go through Kosovo. In the same package was the recognition from Greece”, Rukiqi writes.
The former head of the Kosovo Economic Ode emphasises that in the course of this American geostrategic policy in the region, within the framework of the MCC's Compact programme, after all studies, the 200m-euro American support for the LNG infrastructure was planned and agreed to, including the American Gas plant.
With Kurti's arrival in 2021, with no strong economic reason and no serious feasibility, the Government rejected American Gas, to invest 200m euros in batteries.
Fast forward: now, with the new Trump Administration, this issue is reacted.
Yet all Eastern and Central Europe are in the race for LNG to get away from Russian influence. And yet, the only rejecters are us. The Prime Minister said it with his mouth.
Why? There is no economic or technical analysis to say no. After all, national security does not require too many numbers. American gas is a pillar of Kosovo's national security for decades to come.
What if Serbia accepts it, and we remain the region's black hole the only one outside this important strategic umbrella?
Under any circumstances, any governing coalition and any governing programme should be conditioned with the American Juice Gas plant project”, he added.
