Macedonia joins South Stream

Macedonia joins South Stream

A Macedonian Government delegation led by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski signed the agreement on Macedonia’s participation in major European gas line – South Stream.

The agreement was signed by Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski and Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Valentinovich Novak in the presence of Gazprom and Stroytransgaz representatives.

“This is a key project for us as South Stream guarantees the energy stability of the Republic of Macedonia, new amounts of gas will be secured, which will give greater vision to the internal gas transportation infrastructure,” said Prime Minister Gruevski.

The agreement envisages a branch of the major energy project to connect to Macedonia, although the origin of the branch whether it be from Bulgaria or Serbia is still unknown.

The signing of the agreement came as a result of increased bilateral relations with Russia, states Gruevski. He also believes that an agreement will be signed with Stroytransgaz by October this year, paving the way for the construction of the national gas network in Macedonia.

This network will be partly funded by the Soviet Union clearing debt to Macedonia.

The gasification of Macedonia is considered strategic and in the national interest, as it will offer cheap energy alternatives to homes and businesses alike.