Skopje, 14 July 2023 (MIA) - Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi met Thursday in Washington with Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, discussing energy projects and regional energy networking.

Minister Bekteshi, who was accompanied by NOMA Gas director Bajram Rexhepi, expressed gratitude for the support that the United States has continually provided to North Macedonia, primarily in the aspect of increasing the country's energy independence and diversification of energy resources, the Ministry of Economy said in a press release.

Bekteshi briefed Pyatt on the Government's efforts to reduce North Macedonia's dependency on Russian gas, with the country securing additional capacities in 2022 within the only pipeline from Bulgaria, supported by the U.S. and EU.

Regarding the gas interconnector with Greece, Assistant Secretary Pyatt was briefed that procedures related to its construction are being completed and the call for selection of a contractor is to be released shortly.

Bekteshi also referred to the investments in renewable energy sources by domestic and foreign investors, noting that North Macedonia is committed to increasing green energy production.

Interlocutors agreed that the Government should continue to focus on the energy transition it has started, as well as its investments in regional energy networking, reads the press release.

Photo: Ministry of Economy