Prishtina, 25 October 2022 (MIA) — Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi said North Macedonia’s government was fully aligned with the European Commission’s energy transition policies and EU’s green agenda, MIA’s Prishtina correspondent reports. Addressing the Western Balkans Summit 2022 held in Prishtina on Tuesday under the slogan “Building bridges for peace, prosperity and solidarity,” Minister Bekteshi said the state had consistently implemented all new European provisions regarding energy and environmental protection. “North Macedonia was the first member country of the Energy Community to develop a National Energy and Climate Plan that includes decarbonization, energy efficiency, energy supply security, internal energy market and research, innovation and competitiveness,” Bekteshi said. “The Ministry of Economy, as the creator of energy policies, by aligning legislation related to energy has set the foundations for energy development and energy transition. The strategic policy planning and future steps will contribute to the timely and successful achievement of these goals,” he added. Bekteshi also expressed disappointment that EU’s investments over the recent years were mainly into the north of the European continent, neglecting the Western Balkans. “Although Greece and Bulgaria are full members of the EU, the Western Balkans was less supported when it comes to critical infrastructure,” he said. The one-day summit, organized by the Economist and the Government of Kosovo, was opened by Kosovo Prime Minister Albun Kurti. Also attending are North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Bytyqi, Minister of Information Society and Administration Admirim Aliti, and more than twenty international experts in security, economy, finance, technology, and environmental protection as well as diplomats. mr/