Nizhny Novgorod, 3rd July 2012 (MIA) – Macedonia is definitely part of the “South Stream” gas pipeline. Today’s handing over of the draft agreement is a confirmation by the Government of the Russian Federation and “Gazprom” that Macedonia is part of this energy project, the construction of which should begin at the end of this year and is to be completed by the end of 2015.
– There is no more dilemma that Macedonia is joining the international gas pipeline corridor “South Stream”, as it was agreed with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and President Vladimir Putin. We have been delivered the draft agreement on joining of Macedonia in the “South Stream”, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavreski, said in Nizhny Novgorod, where 6th session of the Intergovernmental Macedonian-Russian Commission took place.
According to him, this is an extraordinary success for the Republic of Macedonia, since a strategically important issue of long-term energy stability in the country is resolved.
I am satisfied, Stavreski underlined, that we have managed, in a short period of time, practically from a position in which it was not planned to join the “South Stream”, through numerous contacts, meetings we had at the highest level, to reach an agreement with “Gazprom” and the Government of the Russian Federation for the gas pipeline branch to run through Macedonia. This, as Vice Prime Minister emphasized, practically resolves the issue of gas supply for all future generations and, the most importantly, for the economy in the Republic of Macedonia, making it much more competitive, having a stable source of gas, to be purchase at a respective price.
After legal and energy experts analyze the agreement and the text therein is harmonized like in the other seven countries included in the project, mixed company is to be established to work on the realization of the gas pipeline branch in Macedonia. – These are the activities to follow in the coming period. What happened today is of key importance. We have been given final confirmation by the Government of the Russian Federation and “Gazprom” that Macedonia is part of the “South Stream”, Stavreski underlined.
Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Maxim Travnikov, emphasized the realization of the project is important in terms of modernization of the whole energy system, as well as for the development of Macedonia.
– Inclusion in the “South Stream” will increase energy safety of Macedonia and will improve the way of living of the citizens, Travnikov said, expressing hope that everything that needs to be harmonized will be done as soon as possible, and both parties will be satisfied.
Project is expected to commence at the end of December this year and to be completed by the end of 2015 and, depending on the details later on, it will be decided when exactly gas pipeline branch towards Macedonia will be built.
Within the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission, as Vice Prime Minister Stavreski pointed out, signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with “StroyТrans Gas” is also important, being a step forward towards the construction of the national gas pipeline network.
Organizing meetings between Russian and Macedonian businessmen was also discussed at the Commission’s session, as well as cooperation in the field of science, culture, education and other areas of importance for the traditionally good relations between Macedonia and the Russian Federation.
Оваа вест е достапна и на:
