Skopje, 17 November 2022 (MIA) - Regional cooperation is the only way to overcome any crisis and to build energy independence. This opens an opportunity to use green energy resources in the Balkans and to turn the region into a new energy power, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told a joint press conference in Belgrade alongside Western Balkan leaders, held after a conference on investment opportunities in renewable energy in the Western Balkans. In the past 30 years, he said, the region was subjected to division and differences, but it became the region of cooperation and good neighborly ties. "A difficult winter is ahead, but we can go through this crisis together by cooperating," Kovachevski said. The PM stated that the countries in the region don't have the luxury to have a huge fiscal space, like Norway for example, which is why they have to be inventive and more agile. The conference in Belgrade is organized by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the Norwegian embassy. PM Kovachevski said he thanked the Serbian President for organizing today's event, where the potentials of the region can be presented before those willing to invest. He mentioned that North Macedonia has had a cooperation in Norway in the construction of wind parks in Bogdanci and revitalization of several hydro power plants in the country. "There is space for regional cooperation, there are projects and there are also ways for financing. Some projects have been completed and some are nearing their end," Kovachevski stated. He urged investors from Norway to invest in the Western Balkan countries, including North Macedonia. "North Macedonia had managed to unblock the path towards Europe and to join NATO and also to create an open Balkans with the countries in the region, which leaves us in a different position compared to only five years ago," said Kovachevski. Listing energy investments in his country, PM Kovachevski said that 27-megawatt photovoltaic stations were installed in the past 10 months, adding that several agreements are being negotiated for foreign investments in projects for the construction of photovoltaic and wind energy parks and a gas plant with investors from France, Germany and Greece. Works are also underway for a new interconnector from Greece to the Negotino thermal power plant and an agreement was reached with Bulgaria for the construction of yet another interconnectors from Bulgaria's Petrich to Strumica. "This will provide the country with three interconnectors," Kovachevski added. The Chebren hydro power plant, for which Kovachevski said he expected a bidder to be selected following 13 unsuccessful attempts, will be a strategic project not only for North Macedonia but also for the entire region, it was concluded.