Chisinau discusses reorganization of Moldovagaz with Gazprom

The talks with Gazprom over the new agreement on the supply of gas to Moldova will start in the near future. The nominal composition of the working group that will negotiate the agreement is being decided. The present agreement expires at the end of this year, said Deputy Minister of Economy Ilarion Popa, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. According to the official, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar is to make an order concerning the group of negotiators. The talks with the Russian gas supplier will start afterward. Aspects of the negotiation of the new agreement on the supply of gas to Moldova were discussed in the last meeting of the Moldovan-Russian Intergovernmental Commission that was held in Moscow. The meeting also discussed the debt for gas accumulated by Moldova, mainly the Transnistrian region. Transnistria’s debt totals US$1.5 million. The sides agreed that SA Moldovagaz should be reorganized into two companies – one based in Chisinau and the other one based in Tiraspol. “We have a plan of action for dividing the debts, which is discussed with Gazprom. It will be implemented in 2012- 2103,” said Ilarion Popa. He also said that SA Moldovagaz has a debt of US$50 million for the gas consumed on the right bank of the Nistru. The debt will be settled before the start of the new heating season. A rescheduling formula that will be accepted by Gazprom is now being worked out for the historical debt of US$300 million.