Skopje, 19 October 2022 (MIA) - The Government will decide on liberalization of the market in the section of natural gas, said Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi on Wednesday. “As far as I know, Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM) has informed Makpetrol and other companies that showed interest to supply ESM and heating plants with natural gas to submit offers by tomorrow over quantities for November and eventually until the end of the heating season. Only Makpetrol has a license for gas supply in the country, but the Government will decide on liberalizing the gas market,” Minister Bekteshi told reporters. He added that measures for companies from the food industry, primary and secondary schools, as well as utility companies will be available as of December 1. The Minister expects the country to receive support from the European Commission regarding the energy crisis management in a timely fashion. “Earlier today I signed the EC letter resulting from our talks with Commissioner Varhelyi, which includes our requirements. Negotiations are ongoing with all regional countries. I expect that our country will receive timely assistance and an amount that will cover the needs of the economy and measures that are being implemented,”, noted Bekteshi. In the letter, the country asks for enlargement of the list of vulnerable groups receiving support for electricity and energy resources as of January 1, seeks co-financing of subsidies for photovoltaic plants of households and micro and small enterprises, along with direct subsidies for companies on the open electricity market and those on the regulated market, in order to maintain their competitiveness in regional and European terms.