Balkan Nations Advance Energy Corridor to Boost Regional Security

Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia are strengthening their energy cooperation to enhance security of supply and create new routes for gas and electricity across Southeast Europe. This initiative was discussed during the second quadrilateral ministerial meeting in Belgrade, where energy ministers and senior officials from the four countries convened to accelerate cross-border interconnections.

Greek Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in ensuring reliable and affordable energy supplies. The ministers focused on the Vertical Gas Corridor, which begins in Greece and extends northward through Bulgaria, Romania, and into the Western Balkans and Central Europe. The corridor aims to diversify gas supply routes and reduce Europe's dependence on Russian imports.

The expansion of the Vertical Gas Corridor now includes Serbia and North Macedonia, further integrating the Western Balkans into the network. Greece's LNG terminals and pipeline infrastructure serve as key entry points for diversified gas supplies, facilitating their movement north through the Balkans. The initiative aligns with the European Union's strategy to phase out Russian natural gas imports and strengthen regional energy security.

The meeting also addressed oil and electricity interconnections, with ongoing projects highlighted by Papastavrou. The countries agreed to meet every six months to assess progress, with the next quadrilateral ministerial meeting scheduled in six months in Sofia. The push for greater electricity interconnection reflects broader European efforts to create a more integrated energy market, improving security and efficiency.