Papastavrou was invited by Stankov to the joint inauguration with Zhelyazkov and Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Péter Szijjártó.
Six countries have partnered on this emblematic energy project: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, and relates to the extension of capacity from Greece to Bulgaria (connecting at Greece's Sidirokastro) and from Bulgaria to Romani (connecting at Bulgaria's Kresna), as a basic part of the Vertical Corridor and with the implementation of targets to differentiate and improve the supply chain's security. Its operation will allow the transport of gradually increasing natural gas quantities from the North to the South.
The Vertical Corridor facilitates natural gas flows through the terminal stations of Greece to countries of northeastern and central Europe. Its ultimate goal is to support the full differentiation of supply sources of the countries in the region and to boost its energy autonomy.
The corridor is being promoted by the 9 natural gas managers of the 7 countries in the project: Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA) and Gastrade from Greece, Bulgartransgaz and ICGB from Bulgaria, Transgaz from Ρουμανία, FGSZ from Ουγγαρία, Eustream from Σλοβακία, VMTG from Moldova, and GTSOU from Ukraine.
As Papastavrou said, "The vertical South-North corridor is becoming a reality. The natural gas starting from Greece will reach Central and Eastern Europe. This has great value in terms of energy, as it highlights the leading role of Greece in European energy autonomy and security. It also however has a great geostrategic importance, because new connecting arteries of our country are being established. The government is moving forward decisively, with a strategy, to strengthen Greece's position in Europe."
(amna.gr, May 29, 2025)