The Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline is an alternative for the supply of the Republic of Moldova with gas and will be used only if its utilization will be reasonable from economic viewpoint, Prime Minister Ion Chicu stated in the program “Emphasis on Today” on TVR Moldova channel, being quoted by IPN.

“It was put into operation technically. It is an event on which we should congratulate each other, for having such a gas pipeline. It is an alternative possibility for supplying the Republic of Moldova with gas if problems on the traditional route appear. For now, either we want it or not, this traditional Russia-Ukraine route that enters the Republic of Moldova through the south and through Transnistria is the most reasonable one from economic viewpoint,” said Ion Chicu.

However, the Premier does not rule out that the gas coming from Romania in the nearest future could be cheaper than the one supplied by the Russian Federation.

“We all want lower tariffs and the direction from which the gas comes does not really matter. Only the figures play a role here. It’s possible that the gas from Romania, for example, will be cheaper in a period. It’s possible that this gas pipeline will be then used for the purpose for which it was initially designed, to supply gas. Until then, the economic reasons will prevail,” noted the official.

Premier Chicu said the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline considerably increased Moldova’s energy security and he thanked the Romanian authorities for their plenary involvement in the implementation of the project.