A contract between Moldova’s state company Energocom and the Bulgarian natural gas transportation operator Bulgartransgaz was signed today in Chisinau, during an official visit paid by Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev to Moldova.

President Maia Sandu stated on this occasion that this alternative source will strengthen Moldova’s energy independence and help it become more resilient in the current crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.

“This war brought enormous social and economic damage to the entire European continent, and the citizens of Moldova feel its effects the hardest. We are going through the worst energy crisis since independence and there is no doubt that energy resources are being used as weapons to undermine our state and our still fragile democracy”, said Sandu.

She stressed that Moldova resolutely respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and does not recognize the illegal annexation of its eastern territories. “Destruction and death must be stopped, but the only way this can happen is for Russia to leave Ukraine”, the head of state said.

For his part, Rumen Radev stated that Bulgaria firmly supports Moldova’s European aspirations and is ready to cooperate in the European integration process. Due to the war in Ukraine, Moldova is facing pressing problems both in terms of security and economically, which are caused by the interruption of the supply of resources, the increase in prices and inflation. The official said that Bulgaria and Moldova will face these challenges by joining efforts and the contract signed today will strengthen those efforts.

Recently, Energocom purchased ten million cubic meters of natural gas at a price of 997 euros/1000 m3. The amount will be stored in underground facilities in Ukraine and will be used by Moldova in case Gazprom limits or disrupts gas supplies. It is the first purchase within the "Security of Natural Gas Supply" project.