Moldovan government unmoved by Gazprom's debt claims
In a high-stakes standoff between the Republic of Moldova and energy giant Gazprom, the Chisinau government is taking a defiant stance, declaring its readiness to confront potential challenges arising from disputed debts. This contentious issue has revealed a stark divide between the government and opposition in parliament, as well as raised concerns about Russia's reaction.
The heart of the matter lies in Gazprom's claims of outstanding debts owed by Moldova, an assertion that has been met with scepticism from international auditors. Their findings suggest that the alleged debts, as presented by the Russian energy giant, are in fact fictitious. The auditors' revelations have sent ripples through Moldovan politics, sparking a tense debate over the legitimacy of Gazprom's claims.
The opposition in Moldova's parliament appears to align closely with Gazprom's version of events, raising concerns that the Russian Federation may not take kindly to these revelations. Some parliamentarians fear that the Russian government's response could have far-reaching consequences for the small Eastern European nation.
On the other side of the aisle, government officials express unwavering confidence in Moldova's ability to withstand any potential challenges posed by Gazprom. They argue that Moldova has achieved energy independence from Russian natural gas supplies, rendering it less susceptible to external pressure.
However, Gazprom remains resolute in its position and refuses to acknowledge the findings of the international audit. In a further twist to the saga, Vadim Ceban, the director of Moldovagaz, expresses bewilderment over the source of the proposed $8.6 million, which the government is willing to pay to settle its purported debts to Russia. This amount has raised eyebrows as Moldovagaz claims that it is owed a far larger sum of $46 million by electricity producers.
Energy Minister Victor Parlicov clarifies that the $8.6 million is not an admission of guilt but rather a proposal for an amicable resolution to the dispute. The audit has exposed numerous issues with the debt claims, including unverified debts dating back to 1991-2003, debts with expired execution terms, inadequately assessed pipeline networks, and underpaid transit fees by Gazprom through Moldova until 2007.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has called on the Moldovan authorities to "refrain from politicizing practical issues of bilateral cooperation, including in the energy sector." The statement was made in response to the results of an audit of Moldovagaz's alleged debts to Gazprom.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
