Moldova is ready to cede its electric networks to Balkans in exchange for cheap gas, according to Russian press

Russian newspaper „Nezavisimaia Gazeta” (NG) writes on Wednesday, the 5th of April, that Moldova is ready to cede to Russians its energy supply networks to Balkan states, in exchange for cheaper gas. According to it, starting on 1st of April, new tariffs to Russian gas for Moldova should have been applied, but Moldovan delegation managed to get an agreement with Russian part to extend this term for another three months. NG notes that at the negotiations the price of 160 - 250 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters was mentioned, but Chisinau’s intention cede the networks in exchange for cheaper gas was a proposal difficult to reject. Even if the sense of the compromise was not made public, it was communicated to NG by sources from the Moldovan Government. NG also informs that exporting electricity to Balkan countries is an older hope of RAO EAS Rossii, but for this one to come true it is necessary that to purchase or to rent temporary the Moldovan networks. Quoting the same sources of Moldovan Government, NG mentions that Chisinau’s proposal was advantageous especially for „Gazprom” manager Alexei Miller, who intends to buy from RAO EAS the Cuciurgan power station and, along with it, the delivering network to Balkans. NG mentions that negotiations regarding the possibility to transmit these networks in exchange for cheaper gas will be finished in three months. At the same time, NG takes another guess, mentioning that „Gazprom” could discuss with the Moldovan part the possibility to purchase the gas pipeline on Moldova’s territory, through which Russian gas is transported to Europe. But for the moment Moldovans are ready to pass on to „Gazprom” only 8% of shares managed by „Moldova-gaz”. At present „Gazprom” has 50+1 shares in this enterprise, Moldova – 35.3 %, and Transnistria – 13.4%. On the Thursday’s meeting of the parliament, the ministry of economics and commerce, Valeriu Lazar, avoided to give more details regarding the negotiations about gas tariffs with Gaszprom mentioning the clause of confidentiality convened with Russian part. Local experts noted that the article of NG could be included in the underground game of political and economic Russian groups aiming to make pressure on Moldova during negotiations.