If the extraordinary energy fee on the transit of Russian natural gas through Bulgarian territory is introduced for the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje will seek compensation from Bulgaria and additional support from the European Union, North Macedonia's Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi told reporters on Wednesday.
On October 13, Bulgaria introduced a fee on import and transit of Russian gas to the amount of BGN 20 per MWh. The fee's purpose is to make it less profitable for Gazprom to supply gas through Bulgaria. The gas pipeline through Bulgaria to Serbia is the only way that North Macedonia uses to import gas.
In response to a reporter's question, Bekteshi said: "If they [Bulgaria] introduce a fee on the natural gas coming from Gazprom, which makes sense on their side, then the quantities Gazprom delivers to North Macedonia should be exempted. This is our demand. We do not want to interfere in Bulgaria's fiscal policy, however, taking into consideration the liberalization of the markets, we have every right to ask the EU to demand it of their Member States. We have already alerted the European Energy Community and the European Commission".
The Minister was adamant that North Macedonia will not allow to be "extorted by Bulgaria or anyone else". He added that his country is taking steps to diversify its gas suppliers.
/DS/
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