North Macedonia and Croatia have solidified their commitment to a stronger energy future through a significant memorandum of understanding signed between their respective energy ministers. The pact outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration in the energy sector, aiming to bolster energy security, accelerate the adoption of renewable energy sources, and advance decarbonization initiatives across the region.
The energy cooperation pact was formalized during a visit by a high-level Croatian delegation led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. North Macedonia’s Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Sanja Božinovska, and her Croatian counterpart, Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar, signed the memorandum in Ohrid. This strategic alignment underscores a mutual understanding of energy’s critical role in both economic stability and geopolitical security, particularly in light of recent global events.
“Energy today is one of the most important strategic areas for Europe and the entire region,” Božinovska stated during the forum.
“The war in Ukraine, as well as the developments in the Middle East, have clearly shown that energy security is no longer just an economic issue, but also a geopolitical and security issue,” she added.
The cornerstone of the North Macedonia-Croatia energy cooperation pact is the exchange of knowledge and collaborative efforts in several key areas. These include strengthening energy security, developing robust regional interconnections, promoting the uptake of renewable energy sources, and fostering a transition towards low-carbon systems. Furthermore, the memorandum facilitates the integration of the electricity market and encourages convergence with European Union energy legislation.
The signing of the energy cooperation pact is testament to the friendly relations and enduring cooperation between North Macedonia and Croatia. It aligns with North Macedonia’s strategic objective of European Union membership and its obligations under the Energy Community Treaty. The pact represents a crucial step in the country’s gradual alignment with the comprehensive body of EU energy legislation.
Croatian Prime Minister Plenković highlighted the significance of energy as a primary concern for the EU, especially following several major crises in recent years. He expressed confidence that the new memorandum will significantly enhance the energy connections between the two nations.
Šušnjar further elaborated on Croatia’s ambition to establish itself as a regional energy hub, offering its experience in EU energy market integration to actively support North Macedonia’s European aspirations.
