Andrei Spînu, Deputy Prime Minister and concurrently Minister of Infrastructure, will go to Moscow together with Vladislav Kulminski, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, to discuss gas supply. Their intention is to seek an extension of the expired gas supply agreement for at least a year under the same terms.
“Let me reiterate that Moldova’s position in these discussions will be to extend the contract based on the conditions for 2020-2021. In addition, we will discuss the outstanding debt accumulated over the years and the implementation of the Third Energy Package”, Andrei Spînu told a press conference.
Spînu said that there are “no risks” regarding the start of the heating season, but admitted that the pressure in the natural gas system has decreased, which he says is “not critical”. Andrei Spinu also said that the mechanism for compensating the potential rise in rates has already been developed. It provides for two actions: capping the price that can be included in the rate calculated by ANRE and partially compensating the bills for the most vulnerable consumers.
Commenting on his recent visit to Poland, Andrei Spînu said that the authorities are looking for alternatives to diversify the sources from which natural gas can be purchased. He held several meetings to discuss the state of emergency in Moldova, but also the prospect of long-term cooperation in the procurement of gas from various sources.
At the same press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, said that Moldova can rely on regional gas storages. For example, there are large amounts of gas belonging to European companies stored in Ukraine and which Moldova will seek to purchase.
