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3 clusters · 27 sources · 17 days · First seen 24 days ago · Last updated 8 days ago

Southeast Europe energy ministerial cooperation

Overview

Energy ministers from Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia convened in Belgrade for the second Quadripartite Ministerial Meeting on Energy and Interconnectivity in Southeast Europe. The summit focused on advancing regional energy cooperation, strengthening supply security, and developing natural gas and electricity interconnection infrastructure to facilitate a “just energy transition.”

A primary objective is reducing dependence on Russian gas by expanding the Vertical Gas Corridor. This includes utilizing the Bulgaria-Serbia gas interconnector and increasing access to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) capacities in Greece, with Alexandroupolis serving as a regional entry point. The group is also coordinating gas procurement and planning for the future integration of hydrogen and renewable gases.

Significant progress is being made on regional pipeline projects. The Greece-North Macedonia gas interconnection is expected to be operational by 2027. Regarding the Serbia-North Macedonia interconnection, construction has officially commenced following the delivery of the first pipes for the Serbian section. Work is beginning on a five-kilometer stretch near Vranjska Banja.

The Serbian portion of this 145-kilometer pipeline will cost 153 million euros and is designed for an annual capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović stated the goal is to complete the interconnection by the first quarter of 2028, noting that finalization depends on processes such as land expropriation. North Macedonia aims to complete its side of the interconnection by mid-to-late 2028. The ministers also discussed a potential oil-products route connecting Thessaloniki, Skopje, and Niš, as well as electricity market integration and battery storage systems. The next summit is planned for Sofia.

Entities

Dubravka Đedović Handanović · Sanja Božinovska · Serbia · Stavros Papastavrou · Stavros Papastavru

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 12 SOURCES] Energy ministers from Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and North Macedonia are meeting in Belgrade for the second quadrilateral summit.
[● 7 SOURCES] The Greece-North Macedonia gas interconnection is expected to be operational in 2027.
[● 4 SOURCES] The summit focuses on energy security, infrastructure, and market integration.
[● 4 SOURCES] The Vertical Corridor aims to reduce dependence on Russian gas.
[● 4 SOURCES] Serbia and North Macedonia are being included in the Vertical Gas Corridor.
[● 3 SOURCES] The meeting is a follow-up to the first summit held in Athens on May 15.
[● 2 SOURCES] Pipe laying for the Serbia-North Macedonia gas interconnection will begin next week.
[● 2 SOURCES] The Serbia-North Macedonia gas interconnection aims for completion in the first quarter of 2028.
[○ 1 SOURCE] ExxonMobil, Energean, and HELLENiQ ENERGY are conducting an exploratory drilling project in Greece.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have established legislative frameworks and physical oil reserves.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The next ministerial summit is scheduled to be held in Sofia.

Timeline

8 days ago

[BUSINESS] 4 sources
Serbia begins gas interconnection project with North Macedonia
Serbia has begun receiving pipes for the 145km gas interconnection with North Macedonia, aiming for completion by early 2028 to enhance regional energy security.
22 days ago

[BUSINESS] 22 sources
Balkan energy ministers meet in Belgrade to advance gas corridors
Energy ministers from Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and North Macedonia met in Belgrade to advance the Vertical Gas Corridor and regional energy security through new gas and electricity interconnections.
24 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
North Macedonia, Serbia, Greece, and Bulgaria to hold energy summit
Energy ministers from North Macedonia, Serbia, Greece, and Bulgaria will meet in Serbia to advance regional energy security, infrastructure projects, and gas interconnector integration.

Sources

alfa.mk · beta.rs · burgasmedia.com · capital.gr · denesen.mk · energygame.gr · gov.me · greekcitytimes.com · iefimerida.gr · kcnonline.rs · kurir.rs · kykladiki.gr · makpress.mk · mononews.gr · n1info.rs · nacionalno.mk · novamakedonija.com.mk · ohridsky.com · opserver.mk · plusinfo.mk · racin.mk · sbctv.gr · studiob.rs · thenewspaper.gr · tocka.com.mk · tvzonaplus.rs · vijesti.me

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history