North Macedonia agrees with US to bolster security of natural gas supply

As part of the visit of a high-ranking government delegation to the United States, Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia Sanja Božinovska signed a memorandum of understanding with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on improving the security of natural gas supply. Earlier, she spoke about possible deals for LNG, SMRs, critical minerals and the power grid with Executive Director of the US National Energy Dominance Council Jarrod Agen.

Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Božinovska signed a provisional deal with the US, paving the way for energy to become key for the bilateral strategic partnership and positioning North Macedonia on a new level.

The ceremony took place in Washington DC, as part of the strategic dialogue with the United States. The discussions cover the most important areas for development – energy, economy, security and technology, the ministry said.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau signed the memorandum of understanding with the North Macedonian minister. In the document, they confirmed the joint commitment to diversifying sources and routes for natural gas supply, increasing the resilience of the energy system, ensuring stable, secure and affordable gas delivery for the country, and strengthening regional connectivity and market integration, the announcement reads.

Transparency in gas markets opens up access to public and private financial instruments

The agreement envisages infrastructure development and improving transparency in gas markets, which opens up the possibility of using public and private financial instruments, including support from international financial institutions and export credit agencies, the ministry added.

Within the framework of the strategic dialogue and a string of meetings, Božinovska earlier sat with Executive Director of the US National Energy Dominance Council Jarrod Agen. The ministry revealed that they discussed energy security, diversification of energy sources and joint infrastructure projects.

Agen said the meeting in Washington DC covered US liquefied natural gas (LNG) and small modular reactors (SMRs), critical minerals and the power grid.

Notably, North Macedonia and the United States reached a trade agreement in February that included the procurement of liquefied natural gas.