Natural gas supply contract for Moldova was not concluded yet

Until now, Moldova did not conclude with Russian company Gazprom the new contract on natural gas supply for 2006. Negotiations of Moldovan officials in Moscow continue, the government responsible for press relations, Carmena Lupei, announced. Previously, minister of Economics and Commerce Valeriu Lazar said that the contract could be concluded on 27 March 2006 and would be available till the end of the year. Lazar mentioned that parallel it is negotiated the possibility to conclude a long-term contract, about 5 years. The minister avoided saying on which price Moldova insists, but underscored that they wish „a good price”. According to him, the parts agreed not to make public the details regarding the new tariff on gas, till consultations are finished. On the other hand, the manager of Russian company Gazprom, Alexei Miller, mentioned previously that the gas price to Moldova should be set according to the European one. Economic analyst and experts of the field are convinced that without serious cedes Moldova will not get a price lower than 160 dollars, the price required by Russia. In the same time, they blame Moldovan officials, involved in negotiations with Gazprom, of non-transparency in negotiation process. Moldovan delegation is led by deputy prime minister Zinaida Grecianai. The minister of economics and commerce, Valeriu Lazar, also takes part in negotiations. Government press service did not offer details regarding the full composition of the delegation. According to current contract, available until 1 April 2006, Russian company Gazprom supplies to Moldova natural gas at a price of 110 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters. Till 1 January 2006, the tariff was 80 dollars.