Chisinau asks EBRD to contribute money to building Ungheni-Iasi gas pipeline

The Moldovan authorities and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are discussing the possibility of co-financing the construction of the Ungheni-Iasi gas pipeline and of developing the legislation on public-private partnerships, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a communiqué, the Ministry of Economy says the construction of the reversible gas pipeline was stipulated in the Moldovan-Romanian cooperation agreement of May 24, 2010. The project is estimated at €19-20 million. €7 million is to be allocated by the European Commission through the Romania-Ukraine-Moldova Joint Operational Program - €3 million for Moldova, while €4 million for Romania. Moldova needs €6-7 million more. In a meeting with Matteo Colangeli, senior banker at the EBRD’s Natural Resources Department, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar asked that the Bank contributes money to developing projects to interconnect the energy systems of Moldova and Romania. The feasibility study is being carried out. A joint working group already selected the route of the gas pipeline, which will be 40 km long. 31 km will go through Romania, while 9 km through Moldova. The parties also considered the possibility of involving EBRD experts in the development of the legislation on public-private partnerships, especially in the context of the projects implemented by the Chisinau International Airport with financial support from the EBRD.