Skopje, 22nd June 2012 (MIA) – “Gazprom” has prepared draft contract for Macedonia to join the South Stream Project.  In the course of the next month, it will be submitted, through the Ministry of Energy, to the Government of the Russian Federation to be considered, and afterwards the draft contract will be submitted to us for signing.

CEO of the Russian Gas Company, Alexey Miller, announced it to Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in St. Petersburg today.

During the meeting, they both expressed contentment with the so-far cooperation and readiness and commitment to strengthen and intensify the process for Macedonia to join this Project, which is one of the most important gas corridors in Europe.

They both concluded that inclusion of Macedonia in the South Stream Project would be of benefit and interest for the citizens and the companies in Macedonia, as well as for expansion on the market of this Russian company.

– They informed us that the procedures related to the contract are completed and submitted to the Ministry of Energy. Thus, in a period of several weeks up to one month, procedures in the Ministry of Energy and the Government are to be completed, and the draft contract will afterwards be submitted to us for signing. By signing this contract, inclusion of Macedonia in the construction of the South Stream will be officialized, Prime Minister Gruevski said.

As Gruevski stated, this a huge and significant investment which, on the long run, will be of great importance for the energy stability and security of the Republic of Macedonia.

“Gazprom” plans for the gas pipeline to cover many countries and to be completed by the end of 2015. – It will be a serious support to the energy system in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as support to companies which need gas and which will be provided energy supply on the long run, Gruevski said.

During the meeting, they also expressed readiness and interest in realizing other projects of mutual interest.

Apart from the meeting with “Gazprom” management, government delegation also met Governor of Leningrad Region, discussing the possibilities to deepen economic cooperation between Macedonia and Leningrad Region, which is one of the most important in Russia. It was concluded during the meeting for delegation from Leningrad Region to visit Macedonia.

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