Prime Minister Ion Chicu said the Government he heads cold leave much earlier or much later than the next year’s presidential elections and everything depends on the results delivered by the Cabinet. According to him, if the expectations of society are not met by the new Government until next April-May, any minister or even the Prime Minister can leave, IPN reports.
“This is our approach. What should we hold such high office for and why should we travel accompanied by armies of officers?” Premier Chicu stated in the talk show “Black Box” on TV8 channel. He noted he sees no connection between the Government’s work and the future winner of the 2020 presidential elections.
Ion Chicu said there are risks that Moldova will remain without gas at the start of the next year if the Russian Federation and Ukraine do not come to terms about the transportation of Russian gas via Ukraine. The blame is borne also by the Government led by Maia Sandu as this problem should have been solved long ago.
“There are external risks. The biggest risk is the absence of an agreement between “Gazprom” and “Naftogaz Ucraina” on the transportation of gas through Ukraine. The traditional route by which we received gas was yet uncertain by December 9. When I went to Moscow and had discussions with the administration of “Gazprom”, they told us that the negotiations continue and didn’t assure us that these will end successfully, but there are yet hopes,” stated Prime Minister Chicu.
He announced that the Government started to prepare alternative gas supply scenarios. “The transportation of gas through the so-called Trans-Balkan corridor at the Black Sea - Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and then again Ukraine - is an alternative solution. If this route is used, the gas will cost also US$ 172-173 per 1,000 cubic meters because the price that was discussed and agreed with “Gazprom” is US$ 172 until the border of the Republic of Moldova,” said Ion Chicu. According to him, there are risks related to this route too as some of the elements were just built and must be tested.
The Premier noted there is also a reserve scenario, but the natural gas will grow more expensive under this. This envisions the shipping of gas by operators that work on the Ukrainian, Romanian or European markets. Under the third scenario, the country will use the state reserve of black oil. “Our black oil reserve will enable us to provide heat during about 50 days, but it depends on the thermal regime in the period. This is not the best scenario. I hope we will not have to implement it as it applies to Chisinau only,” said Ion Chicu.
