Gas supply contract with Russian “Gazprom” expires on June 30

The gas supply contract expires on Friday, 30 June, concluded by the Moldovan Government and the Russian company „Gazprom” in January 2006, according to which it was set the price of 110 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters. The Minister of Economy and Commerce, Valeriu Lazar, ensured, on Wednesday, that RM would have a new gas supply contract with “Gazprom”, but avoided to give any other details, highlighting that he knows just a little bit more than reporters regarding the conclusion of the new contract and the price of gas supplied in the second half of 2006. Previously, Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev said that “Gazprom” is to make the final decision on July 1 regarding the gas price supplied to RM. At the same time, he said that the price increase will depend on the fact if the Russian company accepts or not to take part in investment projects of the energy field, proposed by Chisinau. Tarlev noted that in case if “Gazprom” finds attractive the Chisinau’s proposals, it might be set a smaller price than USD 160. The prime minister mentioned that on October 1, RM leadership and that of the company „Gazprom” will conclude a 10-year gas supply contract, in order to get stability in the bilateral cooperation. In January 2006, lacking a new contract, „Gazprom” ceased gas supplies to RM. Until the new contract was signed, the necessary gas supplies were ensured by Ukraine.