EU will help Moldova to diversify its energy sources

The European Union will help Moldova to find possibilities of connecting its electric power lines to the Romanian ones, Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Dirk Schuebel assured, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Moldova is 200% dependent on Russian gas and oil, while the electric power supplied to Moldova is produced in Transnistria by a plant that is owned by Russia. We make effort to help Moldova to connect its electric power lines to the Romanian ones,” Dirk Schuebel said in the ceremony held to launch an EU information and documentation center. According to the Ambassador, a 40 km long line should be built to connect the towns of Ungheni and Iasi. This year, Moldova will obtain €45 million from the EU to increase its energy efficiency. “There are many other things that can be done to assist Moldova in important areas, including the reformation of the law enforcement bodies and the legal system,” said the European diplomat. Dirk Schuebel stressed that the relations between Moldova and the EU have strengthened after September 2009. “The Government of Moldova managed to bring many representatives and leaders of European institutions to Chisinau. From 1991 until 2009, Moldova had been visited by only four European commissioners, while after September 2009 there have been six commissioners in Moldova. The authorities in Brussels are impressed by how well Moldova’s representatives are prepared for the meetings they have,” he said. The EU will allocate €550 million lei in grants to Moldova over 2010-2013. “Moldova is the second among the states that benefit from assistance within the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument, by the volume of assistance received, after Palestine,” said Dirk Schuebel.