Moldova to possibly conclude long-term natural gas supply contract with Russia

The Minister of Economy and Commerce, Valeriu Lazar, notes that there are real premises allowing concluding a long-term contract with the Russian company „Gazprom”. The minister highlighted that „everything depends on the price”, he stated on a Wednesday press conference. According to him, Russia continues to insist on the price of 160 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, but the convenient price for Moldova is of 80-110 dollars. At the same time, Lazar is sure that, even if the price to gas for RM will increase, it will not get over 160 dollars/1,000 cubic meters, if compared to Belarus where the gas price will increase 4-fold. The minister mentioned that negotiations with Russia on the matter of gas are continued on a daily basis. The next week, a delegation of Moldova will visit Moscow for direct negotiations. According to Russian press reports, the vice-chairman of the Russian company stated that „Gazprom” might conclude with Moldova a long-term contract only in September 2006. The current gas supply contract import expires on 1 July 2006. At present the Russian company „Gazprom” delivers natural gas to Moldova at a price of 110 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, compared to 80 dollars until 1 January 2006.