President Stevo Pendarovski, today in Sofia, Republic of Bulgaria, addressed the ceremony on the occasion of launching the commercial work of the gas interconnector Greece – Bulgaria.
President Pendarovski said that this is a significant event because it comes at a crucial moment, as our region and the continent, faces the prospects of a difficult winter, rising inflation and mounting unemployment.
“The ICGB opens a new, reliable gateway for diversified natural gas, not only for the host countries, but, ultimately, for Southeast Europe, President Pendarovski said, congratulating Azerbaijan for its constructive role during the whole endeavor and welcomed the readiness of Greece and Bulgaria to expand the energy infrastructure to our region.
“It is clear, the more interconnected we stay, the more resilient we will be to energy challenges of any type. To ensure our sustainable development and satisfy the needs of our businesses and households, North Macedonia has to become part of this diversified natural gas network. And we are ready to make any steps necessary in this direction, President Pendarovski said.
In his address, President Pendarovski pointed to the need for greater European solidarity, stressing that pan-European solidarity in action can mitigate the effects of accumulated Euroscepticism, which, according to him, is a by-product of long-term European integration.
“Our citizens are expecting less rhetoric and more concrete support. In the given circumstances, the best way for alleviating negative consequences on our economies, is for the European Union to authorize our accession to its crises management mechanisms, funds and instruments”, President Pendarovski said.
“If our future is in the United Europe, whole and free, as stated numerous times, it is a moment to reduce interstate competition, looking a bit away from the narrow national interests and boost solidarity and cooperation as the only way out of this unprecedented global situation we are facing”, President Pendarovski said at the ceremony in the National Palace of Culture in Sofia.
Besides the host, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, the event was attended by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Nicolae-Ionel Ciuka, Prime Minister of Romania and Aleksandar Vucic, President of the Republic of Serbia.
