The natural gas interconnection with Romania is a top priority for Moldova’s energy security and the finalization of the construction of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline in 2014 confirmed that this objective is achievable. The completion of the bureaucratic part for building the Ungheni-Chisinau segment on May 2 allowed to start the construction works. The correct management of the investment, technical and even geopolitical aspects can play a decisive role in the complete materialization of the network for transporting natural gas from Romania to Chisinau. The opinions were stated in an event staged by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” on June 14, IPN reports.

“Expert-Grup” expert Denis Cenușă said that from political viewpoint the Moldovan authorities are obliged to prioritize the building of the pipeline up to Chisinau, where the demand for energy is the largest. According to him, the volatility of the regional context allows for no break or delay for political reasons and requires swiftness in finding solutions to the technical barriers within the limits of the national legal framework.

The expert noted the building operations of the Romanian company Transgaz in Romania and in Moldova should be protected from the effects of the budgetary-fiscal policies of the Romanian authorities that can affect the budgets planned for construction works. The co-opting of the available European resources for facilitating the building operations should also be a priority. The Romanian company should no way receive exclusivist treatment in breach of the Moldovan legislation on public procurement, environmental protection, etc.

Ana Otilia Nuțu, energy expert of Expert-Forum, said that until the project is completed, the necessary regulations should be worked out so as to ensure real competition in the gas sector and the complete implementation of the Third Energy Package. For the entry of Romanian and Ukrainian suppliers into the Moldovan gas market and for the use of the gas infrastructure of Ukraine, it is essential to apply the rules of the common European energy market in the region – in Moldova, Ukraine and Romania – without exception.

The experts recommended the authorities to create an online platform for monitoring the building of the gas pipeline on Moldova’s territory, to accelerate the effective separation of producers from suppliers and to configure a gas market by complementing the secondary legal framework. As a priority, the authorities should fully apply the principles of the Third Energy Package and consolidate the strategy in the relations with Ukraine so as to prevent and manage eventual crises in the energy sector.