Thessaloniki, 5 September 2026 (MIA) -- The country has officially joined the Vertical Gas Corridor following the signing of a memorandum of cooperation at the 10th Southeast Europe Energy Forum in Thessaloniki.

Minister of Energy, Mining and Minerals Sanja Bozhinovska attended the ceremony Friday and spoke with MIA about what the agreement means for the country's energy future. 

Ahead of signing the memorandum, she said the country, after a three decades' wait, would finally be on the energy map. 

Minister Bozhinovska, you participated in the landmark 10th Energy Forum and the 6th Metropolitan Summit in Thessaloniki, where many current issues surrounding energy security were opened. What was the key message? 

Yes, I attended the 6th Metropolitan Summit and the very important anniversary 10th Southeast Europe Energy Forum. The most important message was that we are finally not left off the energy map. After three decades, we will finally have alternative connectivity. We signed the memorandum and we are now part of the Vertical Corridor. Even though it wes originally conceived to consist of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, all the way to Ukraine and Moldova, now we, too, together with the Republic of Serbia, are part of this family.

What does the official joining of the Vertical Gas Corridor mean for the state? Will it position us differently on the energy map?

Certainly, now we are part of this family, we are on the map. However, any energy project is not something that can be realized in a month or two. The interconnector with the Republic of Greece is going according to plan, which means that next year, in June or July, it should be complete. 

Regarding the Republic of Serbia, last week the government appointed a local domestic contractor, so we would be ready by the end of 2027, which means we could also be a transit hub. That means there will be a benefit, fees will be paid here as well, and it will also be possible to provide an alternative route, meaning we will not have only one connection from the Republic of Bulgaria.

How much will joining the corridor improve supply stability? Can direct benefits be expected regarding price predictability for the Macedonian economy and citizens?

Of course, prices depend on geopolitical developments, but whenever there are multiple options, when we do not depend on just one source, when there is another possibility, there is greater competitiveness and lower prices.

Do the documents signed at the forum contain specific obligations to accelerate energy sector reforms requested by the Energy Community?

There are no specific obligations but there are about six points that should happen next. Everything will be available, so everyone can read what the memorandum foresees. Like all memorandums we have signed, the documents will be published on our website. When all procedures are finished, everything will be translated and published.

Mirjana Chakarova