Skopje, 26 September 2023 (MIA) - Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi met Monday in Washington with US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, expressing gratitude for the economic support that North Macedonia has continually received from the United States and presenting the country's activities related to the construction of the Alexandroupolis liquefied natural gas terminal, which is meant to diversify gas supply sources.

Deputy PM Bytyqi noted that North Macedonia is one of few countries that up until one year ago was a 100 percent dependent on Russia's gas.

At the end of 2022 we opened the door to other suppliers by increasing capacities of the interconnector with Bulgaria, while the interconnector with Greece and the gas connection through Alexandroupoli will make the country independent of Russia's energy, the Government said in a press release.

On the energy crisis that affected not only North Macedonia but the entire world, Bytyqi said that the Government remained committed to investing in the development of the energy sector to ensure a sustainable energy transition that in turn will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Payatt reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the United States and North Macedonia, pointing to the great political relationship between the countries that encourages and strengthens economic cooperation.

Interlocutors also discussed the need to replace coal with renewable sources, concluding that North Macedonia must follow US example, where electricity produced from renewable sources in 2022 exceeded the coal electricity production.

Bytyqi pointed out the alignment of the Government's energy policies opens the doors for a sustainable and prosperous energy future that mitigates climate change, improves energy security and encourages economic growth.

He added that the construction of the largest source of hydro capacities for the Cherben projects, with an estimated investment of EUR 1 billion, foresees a base energy production capacity of 300-330MW. ssh/ik/

Photo: Government