Energy Infrastructure: North Macedonia and Serbia have joined Greece’s expanding Vertical Gas Corridor, with a memorandum signed in Thessaloniki alongside regional transmission operators, giving Skopje access to southern supply routes via Greece and LNG terminals at Revithoussa and Alexandroupolis. Gas Market Reform: The government has asked electricity market operator MEMO to prepare a plan for a natural gas market operator covering organisational, technical, IT, legal and financial steps, aiming to build an integrated electricity-and-gas market ahead of interconnector start dates. Regional Energy Projects: A separate report says a North Macedonia–Serbia gas interconnector contract has been signed, reinforcing the push for cross-border capacity and bidirectional flows. Finance & Risk: Hungary has opened a criminal investigation into Eximbank deals, including a controversial €1bn loan to North Macedonia, after internal audits flagged alleged irregularities. Logistics Pressure: Western Balkan professional truckers protested Schengen’s 90-days-in-180 rule, warning of new freight blockades from September 14 if no exemptions or higher limits are agreed. Agribusiness: Greek grape sales are described as “very, very bad,” with low prices blamed on heavy competition from Italy, Spain, and also grapes sold from North Macedonia and other regional producers. Culture & Film: Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska is developing “Petra Doesn’t Want to Die,” while Kosara Mitić’s debut “17” has been selected as North Macedonia’s Oscar bid.