Skopje, 31 October 2022 (MIA) – North Macedonia is set to receive 500.000 cubic meters of gas per day through Bulgaria, as a result of the intersystem connection agreement for gas supply and distribution at the Kyustendil – Zhidilovo interconnection point, signed Monday by GA-MA and Bulgartransgaz. The agreement was signed by the Executive Director of GA-MA, Aleksandar Arsic, and the Executive Director of Bulgartransgaz, Vladimir Malinov. The signing ceremony was also attended by the Executive Director of National Energy Resources – Skopje, Bajram Rexhepi, Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi, Bulgarian Minister of Energy Rossen Hristov and the Macedonian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Agnesa Rusi-Popovska. “This signing of this agreement is very significant because it opens up the possibility of increasing the current capacity of the gas pipeline with Bulgaria, as well as, of freeing up the additional capacities for use by multiple suppliers and for the diversification of our sources. Additionally, it enables us to use all of the sources currently present on the Bulgarian natural gas market,” said Minister of Economy, Kreshnik Bekteshi at the signing of the agreement in Sofia. Vladimir Malinov said the agreement is a result of many years of work and is being signed at a time when North Macedonia will have the opportunity to diversify its natural gas sources and suppliers. According to him, the agreement is the result of a roadmap created together with his Skopje colleagues. “They will be able to deliver liquid natural gas and use our storage in Chiren,” said Malinov adding that the existing infrastructure will be used and that, according to the signed document, North Macedonia will receive 500.000 cubic meters of natural gas per day. Aleksandar Arsic said this is an agreement which has been in preparation for a long time and which will enable the liberalization of the natural gas market of North Macedonia. ad/nn/