# Economic and infrastructure developments in the Balkans

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/economic-and-infrastructure-developments-in-the-balkans
> Updated: 2026-09-03T11:56:00.000Z. Sources: 40. Developments: 2.

Economic and infrastructure developments continue in North Macedonia and Albania. In North Macedonia, the government is implementing laws to support manufacturing and research through financial aid for investments, with new thresholds and wage support provisions set for 2026. Local governance has seen significant activity, with 63 municipalities distributing over 4 million euros in subsidies during the 2025 election year. Infrastructure work persists in the Chair municipality on the Mit’hat Frashëri boulevard project.

Political discourse remains focused on European integration, with SDSM leader Venko Filipçe warning that North Macedonia is “losing valuable time” compared to neighbors. In Albania, the Council of Ministers has approved the transfer of state properties to the Albanian Investment Corporation to facilitate a new Government Complex and a railway station in Tirana.

Energy security efforts have reached a new milestone as North Macedonia and Serbia officially joined the Vertical Corridor initiative. Following a Memorandum of Cooperation signed in Thessaloniki during the 10th South-Eastern Europe Energy Forum (SEEF), the corridor now includes nine countries, integrating NOMAGAS from North Macedonia and Transportgas Serbia to create a continuous transmission axis from Greece toward Central Europe.

To support this integration, North Macedonia is advancing a gas interconnector with Greece, expected to be operational by 2027 with an initial capacity of 1.4 billion cubic meters per year. Additionally, the country is advancing a 23-kilometer interconnector with Serbia to facilitate transit and reduce reliance on single supply routes.

## Claims

- The Vertical Corridor will now involve a total of nine countries in Southeast and Central Europe. (disputed by 9 sources)
- The Greece-North Macedonia interconnector will provide an initial capacity of 1.4 billion cubic meters per year. (disputed by 6 sources)
- The Greece–North Macedonia pipeline has an initial capacity of approximately 1 billion cubic meters per year. (disputed by 2 sources)
- North Macedonia has officially joined the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- The agreement was signed in Thessaloniki during the 10th South-Eastern Europe Energy Forum (SEEF). (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The Greece–North Macedonia interconnector is expected to be operational in 2027. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- North Macedonia is planning a 23-kilometer gas interconnector with Serbia. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The expansion aims to strengthen supply security, diversify sources and routes, and enhance regional connectivity. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The original Vertical Corridor connects Greece with Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- A new Memorandum of Cooperation (MoU) was signed to expand the regional energy alliance. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-03: Vertical Corridor expands to North Macedonia and Serbia

North Macedonia and Serbia have joined the Vertical Corridor initiative, expanding the regional natural gas network to nine countries to enhance energy security and supply diversification in Southeast Europe.

33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/economic-development-initiatives-announced-in-north-macedonia-and-albania

### 2026-09-02: North Macedonia: Municipalities distribute 4 million euros in subsidies

North Macedonia reports over 4 million euros in municipal subsidies for citizens, while political leaders warn of delays in EU integration and local officials announce new infrastructure projects.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-municipalities-distribute-over-4-million-euros-in-subsidies

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Cite as: Economic and infrastructure developments in the Balkans. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/economic-and-infrastructure-developments-in-the-balkans