Sofia, 5 September 2022 (MIA) - Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski held Monday in Sofia a meeting with the Bulgarian Caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev to discuss ways to address the consequences from the energy crisis in which they agreed the formation of a working group aimed at defining the technical aspects regarding the signing and concluding of an energy supply agreement for quantities estimated at 200 megawatt hours of electricity for the needs of North Macedonia up until March 2023. "Being responsible politicians and governments, it is our duty before the citizens and businesses to provide everything that is in our power and to enable the best possible conditions in times of crisis. That's why we are here, today, together with neighboring Bulgaria to try and find a solution to energy supply in the fourth quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year, under conditions that are optimal for the economy," PM Kovachevski told a joint press conference along Donev in Sofia. He said that North Macedonia and Bulgaria this Wednesday will set up a working group comprising of the Economy Ministry, Bulgaria's Energy Ministry, the electricity producing company ESM and other Bulgarian companies. It will be tasked with discussing technical parameters regarding the electricity capacities and transport. The prices, Kovachevski added, should be defined according to Bulgarian law, the EU's directives and legislative and according to North Macedonia's legislative. "We also discussed the quantities we need given the fact that Bulgaria is an exporter of electricity thanks to the capacities it has, especially electricity produced by a nuclear plant," stated the PM. The premiers also discussed the new gas interconnector, due to be constructed for transportation of liquid gas, and the capacities of the existing interconnector with Bulgaria and ways to store liquid gas in storages in Bulgaria. "We held a meeting in the spirit of good will. I hope the working group will start working in such spirit and that in less than two weeks we will come to a solution that is of mutual interest, in the interest of the economy of both countries," PM Kovachevski said. Caretaker PM Donev said the joint meeting reaffirmed the good estimations for the created conditions for dialogue development between their countries and the pledges for enhancing the constructive cooperation in all areas of joint interest, also included in the Friendship Treaty and the protocols of the inter-governmental commission. "We agreed to continue working in sectors and working groups. At the energy negotiations held today, we responded to North Macedonia's call for solving the main energy challenges they are facing. Traditionally, Bulgaria has been and is a leader in the Balkans. Concrete ways for cooperation were discussed in energy and gas transportation because Bulgaria has huge capacities to meet the needs of the economy, the industry and the households in North Macedonia, namely 200 megawatt hours of electricity transportation up until March 31, 2023," stated Donev. The joint group tasked with preparing all technical details involving the signing of an energy agreement will start work on Wednesday, he confirmed. The Macedonian delegation is comprised of Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi, and ESM Director Vasko Kovachevski. PM Kovachevski in Sofia has also met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev for talks on several issues, including energy.