Within the framework of the inter-governmental Macedonian-Russian commission, the Russian company Stroytransgaz and Macedonian Energy Resources signed a memorandum of cooperation, which is the first step toward building a national gas network in Macedonia. The cost of the project is 75 million dollars, 60 million dollars of which is the Russian clearing debt to Macedonia and 1.5 million dollars is from the Macedonian budget in order to round off the financial construction of this part.

“This represents the crown of the efforts we have so far invested within the framework of the intergovernmental Macedonian-Russian commission and the agreement on regulation of Russia’s clearing debt toward Macedonia,” said Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski after signing the memorandum.

The start of the construction of the gas facilities was also confirmed by Maksim Aleksandrovich-Travnikov, Deputy Minister of Regional Development.

“The project for full gasification of Macedonia costs 300 million dollars and it will be carried out in stages in keeping with the talks being conducted with the European Bank, expected to provide additional funding,” Minister Stavreski said.

At the moment, there is a gas network from the Deve Bair border crossing to Bulgaria to Skopje via Kumanovo and gas is used by some 40 firms in these two cities.