The energy crisis in the Transnistrian region has not been completely overcome, although gas supplies have been resumed, the Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky said in an interview with RIA Novosti. He noted that the situation has improved, but the risks persist. "The people received gas, but the problems were not completely eliminated. We hope that the risks will not materialize."
The Transnistrian region currently receives 3 million cubic meters of gas per day, which allows it to cover the needs of the local population and industry, IPN reports, with reference to local media.
The Transnistrian leader reminded that the region faced major difficulties since January 1, after gas supplies were stopped. In February, the European Union offered gas on a humanitarian basis, but requested to increase charges and reduce industrial consumption instead.
Krasnoselsky accused the European Union and the Republic of Moldova of imposing "unacceptable" conditions for supplying gas. According to him, between February 1 and 10, the EU offered gas on a humanitarian basis, but made the continuation of supplies conditional on the increase in charges to almost European level and the cessation of supplies to industry: "How can we stop all industrial enterprises, but at the same time collect taxes and force people to pay European charges?"
The Transnistrian leader said the region pays from its own budget for the transit of gas through the territory of the Republic of Moldova and that, for this reason, the price can no longer be as low as before.
At the same time, Krasnoselsky criticized the statements of Moldovan officials, noting that some of them relied on the energy crisis to weaken the economy of the Transnistrian region.
At the same time, the Transnistrian leader expressed his concern about a so-called "informational aggression" against the Transnistrian region, adding that since January 1 there have been alarming signals regarding the lack of resources in hospitals and penitentiaries. In Krasnoselsky’s opinion, this information does not reflect reality, and local officials manage the situation so that the impact on the population is minimal.
