Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou held a meeting in Athens on Friday, 15 May 2026, with his counterparts from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. The discussion focused not only on the ongoing energy crisis but also on broader regional development prospects.
Energy as a Bridge for Cooperation
According to Papastavrou, the energy crisis is not an insurmountable obstacle — provided the participating countries align around a shared vision and coordinated plan. One concrete outcome of the talks was an agreement to expand the Vertical Corridor, a key regional energy infrastructure project, to include North Macedonia and Serbia.
The minister emphasized Greece’s leading role in shaping Europe’s new energy architecture through strategic projects — including interconnections, market integration, and critical infrastructure like the Vertical Corridor. These initiatives, he said, strengthen supply security, reinforce geopolitical stability, and foster economic development across the region.
A New Framework for Regional Collaboration
Papastavrou highlighted how geography and history once divided these nations for decades — but energy is now building bridges of stability and cooperation. The meeting reaffirmed that energy security and regional collaboration remain top priorities for all four countries.
The ministers also formalized institutional cooperation among Greece, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. The next trilateral (plus) energy ministerial meeting is scheduled for September in Belgrade.
“With a common vision and a clear plan, energy becomes a force of cohesion and prosperity in our region,” Papastavrou concluded.