DESFA, the Greek state-owned natural gas transmission operator, and NOMAGAS JSC, the state-owned operator for North Macedonia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance their collaboration in the energy sector. The agreement, which aims to promote regional energy interconnection and bolster energy security, was formalized at the 9^th Balkan Energy Summit. The MoU was signed by DESFA CEO Maria Rita Galli and NOMAGAS Executive Director Muhamet Elmazi, in the presence of Greece's Deputy Minister for Energy Nikos Tsafos and North Macedonia's Minister of Energy Sanja Božinovska. This agreement builds on the ongoing cooperation between the two companies, which began in 2016 with the Interconnector Greece-North Macedonia pipeline project.

The 123-kilometer pipeline, which spans 55 kilometers in Greece and 67 kilometers in North Macedonia, is designed to expand access to new energy markets, enhancing the region's energy security. The project is also prepared to transport hydrogen, aligning with future energy transition goals. Once completed in the first half of 2026, the pipeline will diversify North Macedonia’s gas supply by connecting to the Greek gas network and LNG terminals in Revithoussa and Alexandroupolis, positioning Greece as an energy hub for Southeastern Europe.

The MoU, effective for 10 years, signifies the commitment of DESFA and NOMAGAS to developing sustainable and secure natural gas infrastructure. The partnership seeks to promote cross-border synergies and integrate emerging technologies into natural gas transmission systems, contributing to energy security and the region’s energy transition.

Deputy Minister Tsafos emphasized that the MoU marks a significant step toward energy cooperation, strengthening ties between Greece and North Macedonia. He highlighted the importance of the Greece-North Macedonia pipeline in enhancing the region's resilience and interconnectivity, noting its role in reinforcing Greece as a key energy hub in Southeastern Europe. Tsafos also underscored the broader economic and investment opportunities the project will create.

Minister Božinovska of North Macedonia reiterated that the signing reflects the country’s strategic vision for energy diversification and future-proofing its energy systems. She pointed out that the Interconnector is designed not only to address current needs but to support the future transition to clean technologies, ensuring greater energy resilience and a stronger energy region in Southeastern Europe.

Maria Rita Galli, CEO of DESFA, highlighted that the MoU is another step toward regional cooperation. She emphasized that through the partnership with NOMAGAS, both companies will accelerate the development of gas infrastructure, contributing to the diversification and security of energy supplies in Southeastern Europe.

Muhamet Elmazi, Executive Director of NOMAGAS, noted that the MoU reinforces NOMAGAS’s role in diversifying North Macedonia’s energy sources. He stressed the strategic importance of the partnership with DESFA, which will strengthen the region's energy systems and facilitate the transport of natural gas and hydrogen to the Western Balkans and Europe.