The development of a vertical energy corridor originating from Greece in the petroleum sector, as well as the expansion of the vertical gas corridor, with the participation of Serbia and North Macedonia, were discussed at the 2nd Quadrilateral Ministerial Meeting on Energy and Interconnection in Southeast Europe, which concluded on Tuesday in Belgrade.

As stated in the joint communiqué: “The ministers discussed the potential development of the southeastern hub of the national petroleum product pipeline system along the Thessaloniki-North Macedonia-Niš route, which could further connect Serbia, via North Macedonia, with the energy infrastructure and the port of Thessaloniki.”

It is recalled that since the beginning of the year, the Thessaloniki-North Macedonia pipeline (with Helleniq Energy as the main shareholder) has resumed operations, transporting automotive diesel to the OKTA facilities in North Macedonia, which are also owned by Helleniq Energy.

In the natural gas sector, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the vertical corridor, noting the progress in the construction of the Greece-North Macedonia pipeline and the upcoming start of construction on the North Macedonia-Serbia interconnection.

Greece was represented by the Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou.

As he stated: “Today, all ministers reconfirmed our strong commitment to expanding the vertical corridor with the participation of Serbia and North Macedonia. Its expansion enhances the capacity for natural gas transport from Greece to Central Europe, offering additional supply routes. It strengthens our country’s strategic role and demonstrates what we can achieve together.”