Belgrade, 31 March 2023 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić spoke Friday about Serbia joining he interconnector set to be constructed from Greece to North Macedonia.

“Everything has practically been agreed for Serbia to join the gas pipeline that is being built from Greece to North Macedonia. The capacity of the pipeline will be at the highest level since we want to secure a capacity with which Serbia could immediately connect to the interconnector,” said Prime Minister Kovachevski at a joint press conference with Serbian counterpart Brnabić in Belgrade.

PM Kovachevski said that this will provide an additional source of gas for Serbia.

According to the PM, with the Greece pipeline and the existing one from Zhidilovo to Bitola, as well as the third one from Petrich to Strumica that is still subject to negotiations, Negotino will have three interconnectors.

“In that way, we will provide energy stability and independence to the companies and our citizens,” said Kovachevski.

Regarding the supply of gas from Serbia, which was being negotiated by the two countries ahead of the winter, Kovachevski said those who needed liquid gas received it, but that the necessary quantities of gas for the production of electricity were not delivered due to technical reasons.

As part of the visit, ministries of the two countries signed memoranda of cooperation on mining and energy, but also on an improved flow of people and goods, and e-tolls.

Kovachevski noted the commitment and the strong political will of the Macedonian Government to strengthen and deepen the friendly relations the country has with Serbia, from political, economic and all other aspects of cooperation.

Regarding the energy crisis, Kovachevski reminded that before the winter he said that the key to success is mutual cooperation and assistance during the energy and economic crisis.

“Not a single Open Balkan country had energy restrictions, we had an uninterrupted flow of food and goods, and an uninterrupted supply of electricity at prices which weren’t increased unlike the prices of electricity at the European exchanges,” said Kovachevski.

North Macedonia, he said, has demonstrated that it doesn’t deviate from its strategic goals when it comes to both maintaining goodneighborly relations and the commitment to EU membership.

Referring to the Open Balkan initiative, the PM said that the increase of trade exchange led to the increase of exports from North Macedonia to Serbia, with which North Macedonia has managed to reduce the trade deficit it had with Serbia.

“Since the creation of the Open Balkan initiative, the number of tourists from Serbia who visited North Macedonia has increased by 250% in 2021 compared to 2020, this figure further increased by 500% in 2022 compared to 2021. I believe that if analyses are carried out in Serbia, the increase in the number of Macedonian tourists who visited Serbia would be the same,” said Kovachevski.

Kovachevski also noted he is especially proud that he hosted the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo two weeks ago in Ohrid, which was held under the auspices of the EU and with the support of the U.S.

“I fully understand the sensitivity of this issue for Serbia, which is why I want to once again hail the vision and courage of President Vučić, because our sole goal is to make decisions for the good of the citizens and for EU membership. The difficult, statesmanlike decisions are the ones that lead to progress,” said the Prime Minister.

Earlier, Prime Minister Kovachevski held a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and will complete his official visit by meeting with the President of the National Assembly of Serbia, Vladimir Orlić. ad/ik/