Skopje, 17 January 2025 (MIA) – The Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, Sanja Bozhinovska met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to North Macedonia, based in Belgrade, Kamil Khasiyev.

The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation between the two countries, with an emphasis on energy as a key area of mutual interest, the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources said in a press release.

“The ongoing Macedonia’s efforts to enhance energy independence were discussed during the meeting. Minister Bozhinovska stated that the country is working to secure natural gas supplies at competitive prices and is open to expanding energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, recognized as a key regional partner,” reads the press release.

The Azerbaijani Ambassador expressed his country’s willingness to deepen cooperation, noting that its leadership, including the Minister of Energy and the President, strongly supports energy sector initiatives.

During the discussions, it was noted that there is a willingness to facilitate direct contacts and high-level meetings aimed at implementing projects of mutual interest. Additionally, it was emphasized at the meeting that several important meetings and forums in the field of energy will be held in Azerbaijan this year, offering an opportunity to strengthen cooperation.

According to the Ministry of Energy, this meeting is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. At last year’s COP29 Climate Summit in Baku, Minister Bozhinovska and President Siljanovska Davkova met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who expressed a strong interest in collaborating on key infrastructure projects, particularly in the gasification of Macedonia.

Furthermore, Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM) and State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, paving the way to enhanced natural gas access and stable supplies at competitive prices.

Azerbaijan is a major gas supplier in the region, utilizing various interconnectors. For instance, Bulgaria imports gas from Azerbaijan through the Greece interconnector, significantly impacting Europe’s energy dynamics. Similarly, Serbia plans to receive 400 million cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas annually by 2026 under newly signed agreements.

Photo: Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources