Gazprom could cut off Moldova from gas supplies in the autumn under various legal or political pretexts, predicts Alexandru Slusari, former Deputy Speaker of Parliament. On the other hand, government representatives say that Romania and the European Union as a whole could help us out in such an eventuality.
One legal reason that could be cited by Gazprom, says Slusari, is the failure to conduct an audit of Moldovagaz’s debts.
“I expect that Gazprom might suspend gas supplies in the autumn. They are waiting for the worst moment for us. I hope that there are responsible people in our country who are thinking about a plan B. Gazprom could hit us in October or November, and we must have gas reserves by then. It’s great that purchases are being made. Romania is still a plan B and I hope we do not buy gas by the bucket, but rather through the Iași-Chisinau gas pipeline to ensure the necessary amounts, maybe with a payment deferral, if possible. We need to prepare alternatives, as the Russian Federation has a legal reason to terminate the contract, due to the failure to perform the audit. However, Russia is a partner that can also terminate contracts on political grounds. It could be the (EU) candidate status, it could be some random speech that Moscow will perceive as anti-Russian”, Slusari said during a talk show on RliveTV.
At the same time, government representatives say that the Government is preparing thoroughly for all possible scenarios, borrowing 300 million euros from the EBRD for gas reserves. The loan consists of two components: 200 million euros are for buying gas, and 100 million for storing it in Romania.
“Fortunately, we have the Iași-Chisinau gas pipeline which is fully operational. Last week, Romania started gas extraction from the Black Sea, which means a new alternative. Romania now fills its tanks, because last winter it was the only European country that had just 40% of its storage full. So, the possibility that Moldova will run out of gas in winter is zero. The other burning issue is the price. To offset the price surge, the Government is working on a targeted project to support the socially vulnerable. We hope that the EU will be by our side, as it has always been”, said the PAS lawmaker Vladimir Bolea.
Recently, Moldovagaz president Vadim Ceban announced that in July our country will buy Russian gas at a wholesale price of 980 dollars, up by 100 dollars from last month.
