Athens, 29 April 2025 – NOMAGAS JSC Skopje and the Greek national natural gas system operator have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation aimed at strengthening regional energy connectivity and security of energy supply.
The purpose of this Memorandum is to promote cooperation between the parties in areas of mutual interest, in accordance with the objectives and principles of the parties. This Memorandum of Understanding confirms the commitment of the parties to strengthen their partnership and promote the development of a sustainable and efficient natural gas infrastructure.
This Memorandum covers the areas of infrastructure development with the integration of new technologies, knowledge sharing on regulatory issues, knowledge sharing on technical and technological innovations, sharing practices in the operational phases, as well as cooperation in the optimization of financial strategies.
The Memorandum was signed in Athens, within the framework of the 9th Balkan Energy Summit, by the Executive Director of NOMAGAS, Muhamet Elmazi, and the General Director of DESFA, Maria Rita Gali, in the presence of the Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia, Sanja Bozinovska, and the Deputy Minister of Energy at the Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Republic of Greece, Nikos Tsafos.
“This Memorandum highlights the role of NOMAGAS in ensuring a secure and diverse energy supply for our country, as well as supporting the energy transition. At the same time, NOMAGAS positions itself as a key link for the transmission of natural gas and hydrogen to the Western Balkans and Europe, strengthening their energy systems. All this will be realized through the strategically important partnership with DESFA, which, as an energy connection point, uses its flexibility and capacity,” said Muhamet Elmazi, CEO of NOMAGAS.
The Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia, Sanja Božinovska, noted: “Today’s signing is a clear confirmation of our strategic vision: to connect, to diversify, and to future-proof our energy systems. Strengthening the partnership between NOMAGAS and DESFA means opening North Macedonia to new energy markets and ensuring greater security of supply, while also directly supporting our transition to sustainable energy sources. The Interconnector is designed not only for today’s needs but also for the energy future — a future in which sustainable technologies will play a key role. With this step, we are not only ensuring greater resilience for our country, but also contributing to a stronger and more integrated energy region in Southeastern Europe.”
The Deputy Minister of Energy, Nikos Tsafos, stated: “The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between DESFA and NOMAGAS represents an important step for energy cooperation in our region. This partnership not only strengthens the connection between Greece and North Macedonia, but also reaffirms our shared commitment to energy security, and diversification. The Greece–North Macedonia gas pipeline, is a strategic project that enhances the resilience and connectivity of our region, expands economic and investment opportunities and reinforces Greece as a key energy hub for Southeastern Europe. Through joint efforts and by leveraging our expertise, we are laying the foundations for a more secure and sustainable energy future.”
Regarding the signing of the MoU, DESFA CEO Maria Rita Galli stated: “This MoU represents another important step in DESFA’s commitment to regional cooperation in the energy sector. Through this partnership with NOMAGAS, we will be able to leverage our shared expertise and resources to accelerate the development of our national gas systems as well as contribute to the diversification and security of energy supply of Southeastern Europe. This aligns with our goal to build resilient infrastructure and promote a sustainable energy future for the region.’’
