site.btaPrime Ministers of Serbia, North Macedonia Discuss Gas Interconnector, High-Speed Railway Construction

Energy and transport connectivity between North Macedonia and Serbia, and a common vision that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the EU, were on the agenda of a visit of Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic in Skopje, North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said at a joint press conference. During the plenary talks, a memorandum on cooperation in the field of energy, mining was signed, a joint meeting of the two governments in Nis. Mickoski received an invitation for an official visit to Serbia.

"We especially stressed the importance of building a gas interconnector linking the two countries. We are now finalizing a tender procedure to start the construction of the interconnector with Greece to provide an additional gas supply option for Central Europe. The interconnector with Serbia, to the north, is extremely important," stressed Mickoski, who added that the goal of the government in Skopje is to turn the country into a transport and energy crossroads for Europe.

Mickoski said that talks also focused on the construction of a high-speed railway, part of Corridor X, "which is a strategic priority of the government, as well as Corridor VIII".

"The decision of the government of North Macedonia on Corridor X is important for us, as a strategic destination for rail transport, which is a unique opportunity to connect with European partners from Vienna to Athens and with Greek ports. It is a natural route between Asia and Europe, and it will pass through North Macedonia and Serbia, which will ensure better freight and passenger transport," Serbian Prime Minister Vucevic said.

In Skopje, Vucevic was received with honours in front of the government building, while the media from North Macedonia noted that the ministers from the Albanian coalition VLEN were not present at the reception.

Milos Vucevic is the second prime minister, after Viktor Orban, to arrive in North Macedonia on an official visit since the government of Hristijan Mickoski.