EU and Balkan Ministers Target Energy Price Relief
Ministers from the European Commission and CESEC group met in Zagreb to discuss regional energy infrastructure and high prices.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Utilities
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European Commission officials and ministers of the CESEC High-level Group met in Zagreb to address energy infrastructure and persistently high energy prices. The group adopted ministerial conclusions and updated action plans on electricity, renewable energy, and gas.
Why it matters
Persistently high energy prices and rising demand have made regional infrastructure cooperation urgent across the participating countries. Growing renewable capacity, price volatility, and the phase-out of Russian gas add further pressure on the region.
The EU spent EUR 134 billion more on energy than usual in February, according to figures presented at the meeting. The CESEC High-level Group brings together 11 EU countries and 8 Energy Community contracting parties, though the stub does not detail how the figure was calculated or what specific measures are planned in response.
The players
Dan Jørgensen
Dan Jørgensen is the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, overseeing the EU's energy policy and infrastructure agenda.
Ante Šušnjar
Ante Šušnjar is the Croatian Minister of Economy, representing the host country at the Zagreb meeting.
Artur Lorkowski
Artur Lorkowski is the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, which coordinates energy market integration between the EU and its neighbors.
The details
Ministers reviewed progress on cross-border energy infrastructure, electrification, and measures to address high energy prices. The group adopted ministerial conclusions and updated action plans on electricity, renewable energy, and gas, with the EU able to use existing electricity infrastructure more efficiently through smart solutions and added cross-border connections.
Timeline
February: EU energy spending rose EUR 134 billion above normal levels.
October: More competitive Trans-Balkan Pipeline tariffs took effect.
November 6, 2026: CESEC High-level Group met in Zagreb.
Mid-2027: Macedonian section of the North Macedonia-Greece gas interconnector is expected to be completed.
2028: North Macedonia-Serbia interconnector is targeted for completion.
Big Picture
The Zagreb talks extend the EU's ongoing effort to phase out Russian gas by building alternative pipelines and interconnectors across the Balkans. Gas and electricity links such as the North Macedonia-Greece and North Macedonia-Serbia interconnectors are central to that replacement strategy.
Energy price pressure in the region ultimately flows into household utility bills and business costs. The progress of new interconnectors will determine how much relief consumers in participating countries see over the coming years.
The takeaway
Regional energy cooperation through shared infrastructure is the main lever ministers are relying on to ease high prices. Watching interconnector completion dates offers a clear measure of whether those efforts are delivering.
What happens next
The Macedonian section of the North Macedonia-Greece gas interconnector is expected to be completed by mid-2027, and the North Macedonia-Serbia interconnector is targeted for 2028.
Further reading
Explore more on Utilities for context on regional energy infrastructure and pricing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Balkan Green Energy News.
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