The Governments of Moldova and Romania signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the projects needed to interconnect the electric power and natural gas networks of Moldova and Romania. The document envisions the extension of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline up to Chisinau and the building of the first southern interconnections Isavcea – Vulcanesti and Vulcanesti – Chisinau, IPN reports.

Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici, in a news conference held jointly with his Romanian counterpart Victor Ponta in Chisinau, said this interconnection project is very important for Moldova because it is one of the steps taken to integrate into the European energy market.

Chiril Gaburici asked for the Romanian Premier’s support for Moldova’s European integration efforts, including in the process of implementing projects to reform the justice sector and to root out corruption.

For his part, Victor Ponta said that Romania remains the firmest supporter of Moldova’s European course and will support it unconditionally. As to the interconnection of the energy networks, he said that Romania has enough resources and can invest in Moldova’s energy sector.

Speaking about the expulsion of Romanian citizen George Simion from Moldova, Victor Ponta asked that the citizens of Romania must be protected by law in Moldova, but they should be penalized if they break the law. He noted he is confident that the Moldovan justice will pronounce on the correctness of the measure taken against Simion.