ATHENS, May 16 (Balkan View) – Energy ministers and officials from Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria agreed to expand the regional “Vertical Corridor” energy project toward the Western Balkans, in a move aimed at strengthening regional energy security and diversifying natural gas supplies.
The agreement was reached during a ministerial meeting on energy and interconnectivity held in Athens, where participants discussed challenges related to European and regional energy security, stronger energy interconnections and the acceleration of strategic infrastructure projects.
Greek Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said the four countries had agreed to institutionalize their cooperation within the framework of the project.
“Today we agreed on the expansion of the Vertical Corridor with North Macedonia and Serbia, as well as on institutionalizing cooperation among the four countries,” Papastavrou said.
He added that the next ministerial meeting would take place in September in Belgrade.
“With a shared vision and a clear plan, energy is becoming a force for rapprochement and prosperity in the region,” the Greek minister said.
The “Vertical Corridor” is regarded as one of the key regional energy projects aimed at diversifying natural gas supply routes and reducing dependence on traditional energy sources.
The initiative forms part of broader European efforts to improve energy connectivity and reduce reliance on Russian gas following the energy disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine.