EU To Issue $80 Million In Grants To North Macedonia By Year-End - Von Der Leyen
Sumaira FH Published October 27, 2022 | 12:40 AM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th October, 2022) The European Union will provide North Macedonia with 80 million Euros ($80.6 million) in grants as part of a support package for the Balkan states in order to help the country cope with the effects of the energy crisis, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.
"We are putting forward now an energy package, a support package, for the whole Western Balkans. It begins with grants, 80 million (euros) grants here for North Macedonia as immediate budget support. It will help address the impact of the high energy prices on your citizens and on your businesses and we will finalize this by the end of the year so that you can get the funding already in January," von der Leyen said during a joint press conference with North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski in Skopje.
Von der Leyen also promised to provide more financial support in the future, noting the importance of developing domestic renewable energy sources in order to achieve self-sufficiency. She also invited North Macedonia, a non-EU member that submitted an application to joint the bloc in 2004, to join the European joint procurement plan for gas.
"It will also enable you to participate in the European joint procurement for pipeline gas and LNG. We have decided in the European Council that we want to purchase to buy gas on the global market together because this strengthens our purchasing power, we invite you, North Macedonia, to join us, to be with us so that we go to the market together," von der Leyen added.
Since 2021, energy prices in EU countries have been surging as part of a global trend. After the beginning of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 and the adoption of several packages of sanctions against Moscow by the EU, energy prices have accelerated their growth, placing energy security high on both the global and national agendas and pushing many European governments to resort to contingency measures. The EU has been looking for alternatives to Russian natural gas as it has pledged to end its dependence on fossil fuels.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
More Stories From World
-
Baby delivered from dying mother's womb in Gaza 'miracle'
15 minutes ago -
Russia rejects US journalist Gershkovich's detention appeal
35 minutes ago -
Prosecutors accuse Trump of 'willful' violations of gag order
1 hour ago -
French artist JR downsizes at Venice Biennale with Orient Express
2 hours ago -
Umrah & Ziarah Forum 2024: A gateway to enhance pilgrimage services in Holy land
3 hours ago -
16 dead, 28 missing in migrant boat capsize off Djibouti: UN
3 hours ago
-
16 dead, 28 missing in migrant boat capsize off Djibouti: UN
3 hours ago -
How UK's biggest water supplier sank into crisis
3 hours ago -
EU lawmakers greenlight new rules to rein in national spending
4 hours ago -
Hamas to stay in Doha if 'useful' for Gaza war mediation: Qatar
4 hours ago -
London stock market strikes record as sentiment lifts globally
4 hours ago -
In Brazil, hopes to use AI to save wildlife from roadkill fate
5 hours ago