BDI demands answers after four months over €19.3 million loss at MEPSO and institutional investigations

BDI says nearly four months have passed since it publicly reported the MEPSO case and demanded accountability from director Burim Latifi.

According to the party, MEPSO lost approximately €19.3 million in the pre-arbitration proceedings before the DAB, following a decision in favor of the former company “Energoinvest.” The case is now expected to proceed to arbitration, where the state-owned enterprise will have to defend its positions and claims after the negative outcome in the preliminary phase.

During the same period, according to BDI, MEPSO signed a new multimillion-euro contract with a consortium led by “Dalekovod,” which also includes “Kodar Energomontaža” from Belgrade and “Elnos BL” from Banja Luka. Regarding the latter, BDI says claims have emerged in the public sphere about close ties with circles linked to Milorad Dodik.

“For this reason, we are publicly asking: why is VLEN allowing another strategic segment of the energy sector to become tied to companies from Serbia and Republika Srpska, at a time when citizens are bearing the financial consequences of decisions made by their leaders? Who decided to terminate the previous contract, who assessed the financial and legal risks, and who will be held accountable if the state suffers additional losses in arbitration?” BDI said.

The opposition party is also seeking answers from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. According to the party, a request to investigate the case was made publicly four months ago, while the public should be informed whether a case has been opened, what steps have been taken, and whether the contracts, decisions and potential responsibility for the financial damage are being investigated.

“Burim Latifi may choose to remain silent, but the €19.3 million counterclaims rejected in the pre-arbitration proceedings, as well as the new multimillion-euro contract with a consortium that includes companies from Belgrade and Banja Luka, cannot be swept under the rug,” BDI said.