Skopje, 14 October 2022 (MIA) – At the beginning of 2023, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is expected to officially approve funds in the amount of EUR 16 million for the co-financing of the interconnector with Greece, heard a meeting of Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi with the bank's First Vice President Jürgen Rigterink and Managing Director for Central and Eastern Europe, Charlotte Ruhe, in Washington. With this we are concluding the financial construction for the realization of this significant project for the country’s energy diversification. For the realization of the project, we have secured EUR 25 million from the European Investment Bank and a EUR 12 million grant from the Western Balkans Investment Framework, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release. Apart from this, the EBRD is expected to provide funds for the construction of the Sveti Nikole-Veles and Gostivar-Kichevo sections of the gas pipeline in the country. At the meeting, Besimi pointed out that the EBRD is among the biggest international supporters of the country when it comes to the realization of priority infrastructure connectivity projects, environmental protection and energy independence, and that the support has reached EUR 2,5 billion thus far, the majority of which have gone to public projects. The FinMin also presented the Growth Acceleration Plan and the possibility for investments in the project together with the private sector, which will contribute to recovery and acceleration of the economic growth. EBRD has provided support to the country since 1993, and it has been a part of 165 projects thus far. The bank is the most active international financial institution in the country with an active portfolio in public investments of over EUR 800 million, the majority of which are in the transport sector with over EUR 500 million. The Corridor 8 railway to Bulgaria and the Kichevo-Bukojchani motorway section are a part of the projects supported by the EBRD. Additionally, in the upcoming period, with the support of the EBRD, the project for regional landfills will be realized as well, and a support loan for Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM), for dealing with the energy crisis, is expected to be provided soon, which has to be adopted by Parliament. The priority projects, investment opportunities and the energy crisis were also the topics of discussion at the meeting of Minister Besimi with representatives of the International Financial Corporation – IFC. The meetings were held as part of the minister’s participation in the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington. ad/ik/