Greece to increase coal-fired energy production to cut natural gas needs

We will expand energy cooperation against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, which has strengthened the focus on European energy dependence. This was stated at a tripartite meeting in Athens by the foreign ministers of Greece, Cyprus and Israel. Israel’s Yair Lapid said that in the coming months the three eastern Mediterranean countries would include 3 more countries in their projects.

Funding is still being sought for the EastMed pipeline, which is due to run through the Mediterranean, because the United States says it must either pass via land through Turkey or be alternatively replaced by liquefied gas tankers, Kathimerini reported.

To ensure Greece's energy security, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that the operation of the 2021 thermal power plant near Kozani, which was phased out in 2021, will be resumed for a period of 6 years.

Romania offers financial and energy support for Moldova

Romania is preparing an additional 10 million euro grant package for Moldova, Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu was quoted as saying by Agerpres.

He opened in Berlin, with colleagues from Germany and France, an international conference on the creation of a "Platform for Support of Moldova". The initiative aims to provide immediate political, financial, material and expert assistance from EU and G7 countries, financial institutions and other international partners.

Bucharest has already awarded 100m euros in grants for projects already signed by the Romanian and Moldovan Prime Ministers Nicolae Ciukă and Natalia Gavrilita.

Romania has already delivered 3.8 m euros in fuel oil and fuel to the neighbouring country. Separately, 5,000 tonnes of coal are allocated for Moldova's energy security also worth 3.8 million euros.

The war in Ukraine warms Turkish-American relations

A strategic mechanism has been launched to expand co-operation between Turkey and the United States, Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal and Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland announced in Ankara. They looked at the whole package of bilateral interests in the economy, defence and the fight against terrorism.

Nuland, who also visited Athens and Nicosia, told the Hurriyet daily that new gas fields should be discovered and new pipelines built in the eastern Mediterranean.

"It is in our interest to have strong relations between Turkey and Israel, both in terms of trade and energy. The closure of the Black Sea is very important. Even if Turkey does not participate in sanctions against Moscow, it must not allow Russia to use its territory to circumvent the sanctions", Nuland emphasized.

Albeit existing criticism, the West recognizes Serbia's elections as democratic

The United States welcomed the election results in Serbia and said the country had joined democracies around the world in condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine. This was answered by the State Department to an inquiry by the Voice of America.

The United States is pleased that many candidates and parties in the presidential, parliamentary and local elections that support Serbia's accession to the EU have received significant support, which clearly shows support for Serbia's strategic priorities.

Washington agrees with the preliminary findings of observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation and the EU that the vote was generally peaceful and fundamental freedoms largely respected, but recommended that Belgrade authorities address the shortcomings identified.

On the road to the EU, Albania wants to separate its candidacy from North Macedonia

Albania will ask the EU to separate its candidacy for membership from the joint movement with North Macedonia. This is necessary because Skopje's candidacy remains under a Bulgarian veto, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said, the Macedonian MIA news agency reported. Rama said he was not optimistic that Bulgaria would soon lift its veto on Skopje.

"Albania cannot wait any longer until the two neighbours resolve their dispute," Rama said, adding that Albania has good relations with both countries. Rama made the statement at the presentation of a national survey of more than half a million respondents. The results of the survey show that 67% want the road to Albania's and North Macedonia's EU membership to split.

Compiled by Ivo Ivanov

English version Rositsa Petkova