The delegation includes the Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Sanja Bozhinovska; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski; the Minister of Interior, Panche Toshkovski; the Minister of Defence, Vlado Misajlovski; the Minister of Digital Transformation, Stefan Andonovski; and the Minister of Economy and Labour, Besar Durmishi.

As part of the dialogue, several thematic meetings are being held at the State Department, along with bilateral meetings with senior officials of the United States, including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Brendan Hanrahan from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

The Strategic Dialogue represents an important mechanism for deepening bilateral cooperation and reaffirming the strategic partnership between the two countries.

A special emphasis in the discussions is placed on energy as a key segment for stable economic development and regional connectivity.

Through this process, opportunities are being created for the implementation of concrete projects and initiatives that will contribute to long-term energy stability and security, as well as to the advancement of regional cooperation.

The Strategic Dialogue strengthens the country’s position as a credible partner, with a clear orientation toward shared values and Euro-Atlantic priorities.

The realization of such a major capital infrastructure project involves complex and multi-layered processes, including coordination with multiple institutions, compliance with legal procedures, as well as adherence to all prescribed standards related to safety, environmental protection and the protection of cultural heritage.

NOMAGAS remains fully committed to transparent cooperation with all competent institutions and to the timely implementation of the project, which is of strategic importance for the energy stability of the country and the region.

Taking into account the above, the situation is being actively and continuously monitored 24 hours a day and within the available capacities, all necessary measures are being taken to appropriately respond and minimize the negative impact of the supply disruption as much as possible.

According to the latest available information, the maintenance work is expected to be completed on time and the delivery of natural gas is anticipated to stabilize as early as tomorrow, October 17. Should we receive any notification of potential delays, the public will be informed accordingly.

As for the notification from JSP Skopje about possible service disruptions and possible changes in the transport schedule on October 17, 2025, such information should be taken with caution. One of the reasons is that the maintenance works and the supply interruption began on October 13, 2025 and during the past three days – including today, totaling four days, JSP Skopje has not experienced any operational issues. The concerns raised are solely related to October 17, 2025, the day on which gas supply is expected to stabilize.

We would also like to inform the public that JSP Skopje has not been a direct user of our services through the NOMAGAS JSC Skopje station which is located on their area since December 1, 2024.

In view of the above, if there are other reasons for potential disruptions or changes in the JSP transport schedule, it would be inappropriate to attribute them to NOMAGAS JSC Skopje, especially when it concerns such a sensitive matter as public transport in the City of Skopje.

Within the scope of its available resources, NOMAGAS JSC Skopje will take all necessary actions to duly comply with the announcement issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission on September 30, 2025.

Should we receive any updates concerning the potential change in the duration of the interruption, the public will be duly informed via a new notification.

It should be noted that the current situation is largely due to the fact that our country has only one entry point for natural gas, through the only interconnector located at Deve Bair.

In order to overcome this restriction, NOMAGAS JSC Skopje is actively working on the implementation of another interconnection — the interconnector with Greece — the construction of which already began in June. This interconnector is important from multiple perspectives, and particularly relevant in the current situation is the fact that with its construction, there will be a second entry point for natural gas, which will enable backup availability in the event of supply interruptions due to maintenance works of this kind.

This strategic project, whose preparations began back in 2016, is now becoming a reality.

Under the leadership of the Executive Director Muhamet Elmazi, NOMAGAS is leading this key national mission with a clear vision: strengthening the energy security, stability and competitiveness of the country.

The gas interconnector, with a total length of 66.7 kilometers, stretching from Gevgelija to Negotino, will provide an initial capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year.

This infrastructure will not only provide cheaper, more reliable and more stable gas for industry and households, but will also bring true diversification of energy sources and a permanent connection to the European energy network.

“This project is very significant and it is of strategic importance for North Macedonia. It brings security, efficiency and stability in supply, while also positioning us as an energy hub in the region,” said Director Elmazi.

The interconnector is technologically ready to respond not only to current energy challenges, but also to future demands for green, clean and sustainable energy, in accordance with the highest European standards.

The project is being implemented with particular attention to environmental protection and the long-term energy security of the country.

As a national leader in the gas industry, NOMAGAS is leading the construction process with expertise, responsibility and transparency, confident that this investment represents a key step towards energy sovereignty and economic development.

Each phase is being implemented with maximum dedication, with the ultimate goal: the greatest benefit for citizens, the economy and future generations.

With the successful completion of the project, North Macedonia positions itself as a full-fledged and stable energy factor in Europe – strong, connected and ready for the future.

With this act, both parties confirm the political will expressed in the Memorandum of Understanding and cooperation in the field of gas, signed in Skopje in October 2024 by the relevant ministries of Serbia and North Macedonia, with a special emphasis on the importance of interconnecting energy markets, strengthening the security of gas supply and diversifying natural gas supply routes.

“This strategic project is of particular significance for both countries and it will contribute to strengthening energy security in the region, promoting energy transition and diversification of supply routes, more efficient balancing of natural gas supply and demand, as well as integration of regional gas markets,” said Director Elmazi.

Srbijagas and Nomagas JSC Skopje, with the signing of this document, express their intention to conduct the construction of the gas interconnector between North Macedonia and Serbia on their territories as soon as possible, emphasizing the importance of mutual support in the development of this strategic project, with the aim of increasing the security of gas supply, balancing supply and demand and facilitating cross-border transport operations.

The Executive Director Elmazi says that the interconnector will connect the natural gas transmission systems of the two countries through a pipeline with a length of approximately 70 kilometers – 47 kilometers on the territory of Serbia and 23 kilometers on the territory of North Macedonia.

The connection will be implemented from the cities of Klečovce and Vranje, with the project foreseeing the construction of a main metering station on Macedonian territory and a control metering station on the Serbian side.

The interconnector between the two countries, for which a Feasibility Study will be soon prepared, will enable a bi-directional flow of natural gas in the amount of 1.5 billion cubic meters per year.

The preparation of the study is supported by the Western Balkan Investment Framework (WBIF).

The diameter of the future gas interconnector will be 500 mm, with a nominal pressure of 55 bars.

“With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, the contracting parties express their support for strengthening cooperation between the countries of Southeast Europe and for establishing a regional energy market as part of the internal energy market of the European Union,” concluded Director Elmazi.

“With joint and coordinated efforts, success is inevitable. By adopting this law, the state has demonstrated its commitment аnd contribution to the development of gasification in North Macedonia.”
The decision is based on two clear principles – increasing the operational efficiency of NOMAGAS and ensuring the financial stability and solvency of the company.

This measure comes at a crucial moment, immediately after the successful commencement of works on the gas interconnector with the Republic of Greece, a project of strategic importance for the regional energy connectivity.
For NOMAGAS, this represents yet another confirmation of its commitment to meeting European standards for natural gas transmission system operators.
“With the adoption of this law, the solvency of NOMAGAS JSC Skopje has increased, ensuring the smooth operation of the natural gas transmission system operator to continue developing the national gas pipeline system in the Republic of North Macedonia, with the aim of supplying the economy, the public sector and households with cheap and environmentally friendly energy, while simultaneously reducing harmful gas emission into the atmosphere.” Through these activities, NOMAGAS confirms its role as a driving force in the energy transition and the integration of North Macedonia into the regional and European energy market.

This agreement ensures diversification and access to various sources of natural gas, supports economic development, promotes and protects the environment, contributes to the security of energy supply, and enables the transit of one of the most important energy resources and assets for the future – energy.

“This day is especially significant for us, as the new management team succeeded in completing all procedures in less than nine months. At the same time, I am very proud to be part of the current management of the Macedonian natural gas transmission system operator, which is now starting the implementation of this very important project,” said the Director of NOMAGAS, Mr. Muhamet Elmazi.

“Namely, the signing of the agreement with a domestic company is also a confirmation of the capacity and offer on the domestic market, through the provisions related to quality, competence and is especially important in the context of today’s economic conditions – financial viability,” he added.

“Today, we signed this Construction Agreement in the presence of our partner from across the border – the Greek natural gas transmission system operator “DESFA”, with whom we will jointly build this strategic energy capacity. Together with “DESFA”, we are developing opportunities for long-term cooperation primarily between the two companies, but also between the two countries. Within this framework North Macedonia will strengthen its energy future, support the development of the entire region and through the implementation of the planned energy corridor, it will make a significant contribution to the Europe’s energy stability,” Elmazi said.

Nearly three decades after the introduction of natural gas in the Republic of North Macedonia, with this agreement, “NOMAGAS” positions itself as one of the largest energy operators in the country – a key factor in its energy development and security.

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.’’

In a conversation with MIA’s Athens correspondent, Redzepi stressed the importance of regional connection, mentioning the interconnector with Greece, which will utilize hydrogen in addition to natural gas, and noting that the construction of a regional power plant in TEC Negotino will be one of the most important energy projects in the country, also in terms of the energy crisis.

“This year, the energy sector is in a much more stable condition. There were very bad scenarios last year that the region would be left without natural gas, without electricity, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but the region survived and currently the natural gas market and the electricity market are very stable. Of course, the prices have stabilized, so we can say that the region has survived the crisis and is now sailing into calmer waters in the sense that there will be stability, there will be sufficient capacity and quantities for natural gas and electricity, and of course no dramatic changes are expected in this important sector in the coming period,” the Nomagas Executive director said.

Regarding the interconnector with Greece, he explained that certain adjustments have been required, so that the interconnection line could utilize hydrogen in addition to natural gas.

“The necessary changes have been made in the specification of all the materials to be used, to make it ready for hydrogen transfer and this is very good news, because this project involves not only gas connection, but also hydrogen connection between the two countries. This is also in support to the plan of our Government for the construction of a huge regional power plant in TEC Negotino, as well as a hydrogen storage, so I believe it meets all the necessary conditions to be one of the most important energy projects in the country,” Redzepi pointed out.

According to his expectations, the ongoing tender procedures will be completed at the end of February and construction will be ready to start in the first half of March, so that the project can be operational by the end of 2025.

“It will enable supply not only from our eastern neighbor, but also from the southern corridor, which is extremely important for diversification of our supply sources, because we will also have access to all the LNG terminals that are currently operational in Greece. It will be a huge contribution to our supply of natural gas, but not only for us. With this project we will enable supply of our northern neighbors such as Serbia and Kosovo, and of course it will have a great contribution to the new map of supply for the whole of Eastern Europe, as well as our region of course,” said Redzepi.

Commenting on the ministerial meeting, also attended by the European Commissioner for Energy, he said it is extremely important, because it defines development directions, particularly in terms of regional connection. He added that the European supply map is changing after the war in Ukraine.

“The action plan for the coming years for the development of the energy sector in the region is also defined, with the exceptional importance of the gas connection and the new connection of the hydrogen infrastructure, of course also the interconnecting power lines between the countries, because in different countries there are different sources of energy and the regional connection is of exceptional importance, because it enables stability in the system, especially in electricity, but also in the supply of natural gas, so the meeting was very useful, because the directions of the development of the energy sector in the region of SE and Central Europe are defined and it was extremely important for us to state our positions, our priorities, both for the country and for the entire region,” Redzepi explained.

Redzepi told MIA’s Athens correspondent that the topic of releasing additional capacities in Bulgaria was also opened, given that “Gazprom” has leased the entire capacity on Bulgarian territory.

“We requested that the European directives be respected, i.e. those capacities that are booked and not used can be released, so that we have more opportunities for supply. Last year about 20 percent of those capacities were released, for the first time in the country we had competition in the supply, but of course it will be a great contribution to our supply if those additional capacities are also released, so that it will allow more traders and suppliers to have access to that pipeline, and finally the country can have independence in terms of natural gas supply,” Redzepi noted.

Central and South Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) works to accelerate the integration of central eastern and south-eastern European gas and electricity markets.

The CESEC high-level working group was set up by Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia and the EU in February 2015. They were joined later by eight contracting parties North Macedonia, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Source: https://novatv.mk/redhepi-regionot-ja-prezhivea-energetskata-kriza-plivame-vo-mnogu-pomirni-i-postabilni-vodi/