Transnistria wants a separate contract with Russia regarding gas supplies

Transnistria might conclude a separate agreement with the Russian company „Gazprom” regarding gas supplies, according to Itar-Tass News Agency. Igor Smirnov, the leader of Transnistria made this announcement, after meeting the government representatives of Moscow. According to it, a Russian delegation visited Tiraspol in order to evaluate the economic and social state of the region, after Ukraine has adopted the new customs regime on the Transnistrian segment, on Moldova’s request. The leaders of Tiraspol have termed the customs regime as an „economic blockade” and solicited Russia’s support. After meeting the government delegation of Moscow, Smirnov stated that the protocol concluded last month with the deputy prime minister of Russia, Alexandr Jukov, allows Transnistria to conclude cooperation and commercial agreements, including gas imports. The leader of Tiraspol, quoted by Itar-Tass, noted that this way Transnistria will be able to work directly with „Gazprom”, avoiding an intermediary as „Moldova-Gaz”, which it „cannot trust”. In March 2005, Transnistrian authorities announced that they cede those 13% of shares owned at the company „Moldova-Gaz” in favor of „Gazprom”. Even if the operation was not legally registered, the share package is owned already by the Russian company, according to it. In 2005, „Gazprom” supplied to RM 2.82 bn cubic meters of gas. The debts of Moldovan consumers for the supplied gas (without sanctions and penalties) is of 687.13 million dollars, 565,3 million represent Transnistria’s debts.