From October 1, the discount on Russian gas for Moldova will constitute $ 10-15 per thousand cubic meters. Starting next year, the discount makes up 40-50 dollars, while from April - 70. President Igor Dodon announced this at a press conference today, September 9, IPN reports.
The gas delivery agreement between Moldovagaz and Gazprom was signed in 2006 and expires on January 1, 2020. “The Russians insisted on another agreement, where the price is different. For us this formula is convenient for next year too, as it is providing the discount that we want to take advantage of,” said Igor Dodon.
The head of state says that Moldova’s merit is that it has been agreed, first with Gazprom at technical level, then at political level with the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to keep the current calculation formula for next year, which will allow to obtain the discount and to compensate some losses from this year.
At the same time, says the president, in the context of uncertainties related to the transit of the Russian gas through Ukraine from January 1, 2020, Moldova has at least three scenarios for ensuring gas supply in the country. Their implementation is currently being considered and will be discussed with other partners in the coming days.
During his visit to Russia, Igor Dodon says it has also been agreed that the six-month period of duty-free exports, on five types of merchandise, will be extended until the end of the year, and that 1250 additional permits for exporting goods will be issued for September.
In other news, the president mentioned that, during his official visit to Brussels, he reconfirmed the implementation of the Association Agreement by the Republic of Moldova. Also, the president expressed his desire to proceed firmly with the justice reform and the reform of the prosecutor's office. According to him, a draft law on the prosecutor's office could be voted in Parliament next week, and the draft justice reform is awaiting the Venice Commission’s note.
The president also says there is a possibility that Moldova could receive financial assistance from the EU, in two instalments, of about 60 million euros. Moldova can obtain financing if it implements the two reforms, the prosecutor's office and the justice system, but also the Memorandum of Understanding with the IMF.