Skopje, 15 February 2022 (MIA) – The Government tasked Tuesday Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM) with launching a process of signing agreements on realization of the Memorandum of Understanding with Gastrade S.A. over the Alexandroupolis gas terminal in the Hellenic Republic. These steps focus on ensuring safe and long-term gas supply to North Macedonia, the Government said in a press release. It adds that the decision launches a process of realizing an international investment as the first step towards energy independence and focus on alternative gas sources. Realization of the investment will potentially lead to the opening of a route other than the current supplier. This would increase the gas supply capacity to the country, while affecting market liberalization and price competitiveness. Considering the present energy crisis across Europe, this is a concrete step that is set to result in stabilization of energy supply in North Macedonia, says the Government. The realization of this project, which the EU sees as a one of specific interest and supported by the European Commission, ensures efficient integration with other important projects related to gas infrastructure on the regional market.