The new contract between Gazprom and Moldovagaz is Moldova’s chance to regain the positions lost during previous failed negotiations. This is the conclusion of an IDIS Viitorul study titled “Gazprom-Moldovagaz contract expiration: New opportunities of enhancing Moldova’s energy security”, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the study, published on Tuesday, 2011 is Moldova’s chance of renegotiating the price of gas provided by Gazprom and the transit taxes for Russian gas supply toward Balkans. Moreover, it’s an occasion to remind Gazprom about the need to reform the property structure within Moldovagaz company. The authors say that most of Moldova’s recent gas industry problems are related to the mysterious contract that heavily favors one of the parties. IDIS expert Ion Munteanu recommends that negotiations regarding the future contract begin with the adjustment of the formula according to which gas prices are calculated. The importance of oil prices for the gas costs must be decreased or even excluded. Then, some kind of relation to the international markets must be included. The study suggests the authorities to reform the property structure within Moldovagaz company through the stocktaking of property over gas pipes built with public funds from private investors and people. This must be become shares of the Moldovan state and investors in Moldovagaz company. If Moldova is required to pay European prices, then it should ask European taxes for Russian gas transit. IDIS recommends that the income obtained through these taxes is accumulated in a separate fund and not included in the formula for calculating the gas prices, as it has been till now.