Moldova cedes to “Gazprom” a part of its quota in the natural gas distribution companies for the new price of USD 170 for the natural gas

The Russian natural gas giant “Gazprom” will deliver in 2007 natural gas to Moldova for the price of USD 170 per thousand cubic metres. This price was approved on Tuesday, December 26, when Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Grecianii met the chairman of the administration Council of “Gazprom”, Alexei Miller, in Moscow. According to the official site of the Russian concern, during the meeting it was agreed that “Gazprom” and “Moldova-Gaz” will sign the contract of natural gas delivery until the end of the current year. At the same time, it was established that the price of natural gas delivered to Moldova will rise gradually during 2008-2010, so that in 2011 the price for Moldova could be equal with theEuropean average. The site also mentions that the Government from Chisinau and “Gazprom” will sign a protocol in the near future that will settle the basic conditions of the Moldovan-Russian collaboration in the field of natural gas supply. The protocol will include the increase of the share of “Gazprom” in “Moldova-Gaz” and the Moldovan distribution companies. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Grecianii categorically rejected the possibility of giving up the enterprises from the thermo energy complex in order to secure a favourable natural gas contract, underlining that the attraction of Russian investments does not mean giving up enterprises, and “Gazprom” has equal possibilities like other potential investors to participate in investment contests. As from 1 July currently, Moldova imports Russian natural gas at a price of USD 160, compared to the price of USD 110 paid in the first quarter. The Government says that, in the process of the negotiations of the new contract, it was succeeded to keep the state’s property, no goods were sold and the reduction of the state’s quote in the assets of the energy system in Moldova was not accepted.