Athens, 11 February 2025 (MIA) – The Energy, Water Services and Municipal Waste Management Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of North Macedonia (ERC) and the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAAEY) of Greece signed Tuesday in Athens a memorandum of cooperation, which outlines principles for improving the operation of national and regional energy markets, along with water and waste management services. The two presidents expressed their satisfaction that this long-standing cooperation has been formalized and strengthened, MIA’s Athens correspondent reported.

The memorandum of cooperation covers the areas of energy, water, and waste, and the ERC president, Marko Bislimoski, underscored that while the signing of the memorandum is a formal and ceremonial act, for them as an institution, it has broader, multidimensional importance. He also highlighted previous communication and cooperation with the Greece’s RAAEY.

“With this, we formalize a long-standing traditional cooperation, setting a standard in the quality of solutions by applying a regional approach to a competitive, secure, and sustainable energy market, ultimately benefiting the citizens and industries of both countries. The political cycles our two countries have gone through are entirely different from experience we, as regulators, have had. It is little known to the public that together with the Greek energy regulatory authority, we have built impeccable communication and trust. This is primarily due to mentality of regulators, who, especially during the pandemic and energy crisis, worked together to find solutions to reduce price shocks,” Bislimoski said.

At the same time, he expressed satisfaction that this cooperation "will further deepen in the regulation of the water and waste sectors," while in the field of natural gas and petroleum products, "we stand ready to offer all our knowledge and experience."

Professor Athanasios Dagoumas, President of the Greek Regulatory Authority for Energy, stated that the signing of the memorandum will strengthen regional expertise in the areas regulated by the authorities.

“We have an excellent and long-standing cooperation with the Energy, Water Services and Municipal Waste Management Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of North Macedonia. This memorandum is the culmination of our cooperation and will now serve as an official platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise in three key areas: energy, waste management, and water. Additionally, establishing a stable regulatory framework in these sectors remains our priority,” Dagoumas said.

He further emphasized that by signing this memorandum, RAAEY underscores its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in the Balkans – “a cooperation that will contribute to regional development and the effective handling of issues that concern us as regulators.”

Photo: ERC