Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said the Republic of Moldova banks on pragmatic relations with the Russian Federation and aims to extend the old contract for the purchase of gas. According to Grosu, the discussions with the Russian side necessitate patience and calmness. Until the end of this month, the negotiations are expected to produce a result. However, the government is considering alternative scenarios if the discussions with Gazprom end in failure, IPN reports.
The Speaker noted that Moldova’s delegation is having a dialogue with the Russian side so as to obtain the best purchase price. There are no reasons for concern about a halt in the supply of electrical energy even if the Kuchurgan Power Station warned about possible interruptions.
“We want a contract with Gazprom to be signed until the end of this month, with a good price. This will mean the continuation of the terms of the contract we had until now. The discussions continue. Gazprom broached again an older subject – the historical debt of US$450 million of the right side of the Nistru, which accumulated in unclear conditions. We do not speak about the debt of the Transnistrian region. Patience and calmness are needed. There is no danger that we will remain without electrical energy. The so-called warning of the Kuchurgan Station is unfounded,” Igor Grosu stated in the program “In Depth” on PROTV Chisinau channel.
The Speaker noted that the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection will provide aid to the socially deprived groups so as to help the people with low incomes to pay the gas bills. However, if a consensus is not reached with Moscow, Moldova has alternative scenarios.
“We want to have pragmatic relations with the Russian Federation. The international context favored the surging of prices. We hope to persuade them that we are a correct payer. We want this contract to be extended. We are also analyzing alternative options if a compromise is not achieved, including the assistance of the neighboring countries Romania and Ukraine. There are a number of supply ways. The most important thing now is to negotiate the volume and to bring gas on time,” stated Igor Grosu.
Earlier, MoldovaGaz said it will ask the National Agency for Energy Regulation to increase the average gas tariff for end users by 35%. Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu said the negotiations with Gazprom are difficult as the Russian side insists on Moldova’s historical debts to the Russian gas giant.
