Lazar urges serious reform in energy sector

The problems of the Moldovan energy sector are systemic rather than technical, state Tuesday Economy Minster Valeriu Lazar at a meeting on the preparation for the cold season, Info-Prim Neo reports. Lazar says the 'inherited' situation in this sector is characterized by never-ending financial troubles, “a consequence of the defective policies promoted in this important domain”. With winter approaching, Moldova owes 65 million dollars to Gazprom, added the minister. According to him, the financial instability of the energy companies is worrying as they run the risk of a chain-reaction bankruptcy. The minister also remarked that the sector is plagued by a host of legal battles between the sector's actors. “These disputes are not that difficult to solve, but they are delayed every time. Administrative intervention only masked those problems”, said Valeriu Lazar. “Every day I receive letters from these companies, where I'm asked to intervene in their relations with their creditors and debtors. I think the sector needs essential reform, with a focus on obtaining financial stability. There are also necessary changes on the management level of these companies. Then the amounts of coal or other energy resources in stock won't be a problem; because it is the obligation of the management of these companies to maintain these stocks”, stated Lazar. Attending the meeting, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said a broader sitting will be held within ten days to examine ways of reforming the energy companies.