The starting point for a new energy architecture in the Balkans centered on the Vertical Corridor for transporting American LNG from the US to Greece and the region’s natural gas interconnector pipelines, was established at the first quadrilateral ministerial conference under Stavros Papastaurou, with counterparts from Serbia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia, where yesterday the northward expansion was sealed.
The quadrilateral agreement for transporting American LNG via Greece
The quadrilateral arrangement between the countries is being formally institutionalized, so that participating countries can chart and coordinate their strategic cooperation in natural gas supply, with the meeting scheduled in Serbia in September. The goal of yesterday’s agreement is to lay the groundwork for densifying natural gas routes in the region and creating a network of pipelines, infrastructure and flows of significant quantities of American LNG that will cover almost all of the Western Balkans. In practice, this translates into a “backbone” of complementary projects connecting the Greece-Bulgaria pipelines with those between Bulgaria-Serbia, which will in turn communicate with the Serbia-North Macedonia system, which will connect with the branch starting from Greece. For example, in Belgrade’s case, the Serbia-North Macedonia natural gas interconnector pipeline plays a crucial role, spanning 144 kilometers with an estimated cost of approximately €150 million, targeted for completion by the end of 2027, to connect with the corresponding pipeline from Greece, which is also expected to be completed within the next year. This specific project is expected to enhance available natural gas quantities from third-party suppliers in the Serbian system, extending the country’s supply pipeline network, which still depends significantly on Gazprom.
Alternative sources
In this new energy framework, the operation of the Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector pipeline, which has been operational since late 2023, is also significant. This pipeline, combined with the Greece-Bulgaria IGB pipeline, provides Serbia access to alternative supply sources, such as LNG from the Revithoussa and Alexandroupolis terminals. Yesterday’s quadrilateral meeting included Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastaurou, Serbia’s Energy Minister Dubravka Đedanović, North Macedonia’s Energy and Mining Minister Sanja Bozhinovska, Deputy Environment and Energy Minister Nikos Tsafos, Serbia’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Mining and Petroleum Saša Kokovic, Serbia’s Deputy Minister of Electricity and Mining Rados Popandic, and Bulgaria’s Deputy Energy Minister Kiril Temelkov. In their statements, the four officials from the quadrilateral countries focused on strengthening regional energy cooperation and promoting connectivity projects aimed at energy security and stability in the Balkans.
Stavros Papastaurou: Bridge of cooperation between countries separated for decades by historical and geographical factors
Mr. Papastaurou emphasized that energy functions as a “bridge” of cooperation between countries that were separated for decades by historical and geographical factors. He underlined the significance of the meeting between ministers from Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia, noting that energy security and regional convergence are common priorities. He referred to Greece’s strategic role in the new European energy architecture through projects such as infrastructure, interconnections, market coupling and the Vertical Corridor. He announced an agreement to expand the corridor with Serbia and North Macedonia, institutionalize cooperation among the four states, and previewed the next meeting in Belgrade.
Serbia’s Minister Dubravka Đedanović characterized the meeting as productive and emphasized the need to strengthen energy interconnections. Serbia’s goal is to complete the natural gas pipeline with North Macedonia by 2027, along with significant investments in energy infrastructure. She also highlighted Serbia’s progress in coupling its electricity market with the EU, requesting support for completing the procedures. North Macedonia’s Minister Sanja Bozhinovska emphasized the importance of the first joint meeting of the four countries and the significance of cooperation regardless of European integration.
She referred to joint energy projects and the Greece-North Macedonia-Serbia interconnection, which is expected to become operational by the end of next year. Regular meetings in Belgrade, Skopje and Sofia were also agreed upon. Bulgarian Deputy Minister Kiril Temelkov emphasized that cooperation and integration of energy markets strengthen system security and reliability. He stressed the importance of joint connectivity projects and extending cooperation beyond bilateral relations toward a more integrated regional network for citizens’ benefit.
The joint communique
In the joint communique issued after the meeting, the four Energy Ministers highlighted the need to strengthen regional cooperation in Southeast Europe during a period of intense geopolitical uncertainty and instability in international energy markets. Their common finding is that energy security, price affordability and system resilience are no longer exclusively national priorities, but collective European responsibilities requiring coordinated action. The central message of the communique is that Southeast Europe must assume a more active and formative role in the future architecture of the European energy system. This can be achieved through deeper cooperation among regional states, strengthening cross-border interconnections and promoting integration of electricity and natural gas markets. The region thus emerges not simply as an energy consumer or corridor, but as a strategic pillar of stability and connectivity for all of Europe. Regional cooperation and coordination of Transmission System Operators are presented as critical mechanisms for removing obstacles, attracting investments and developing crucial infrastructure. Simultaneously, the ministers underlined the impacts of international instability on prices and supply security, emphasizing that enhancing connectivity contributes to energy resilience and smoother integration of Renewable Energy Sources.
Published in Sunday Afternoon
