Solutions for the Transnistrian crisis: Gas loan and 30 million euros from the EU
The government has identified, together with the European Union, solutions to reduce the effects of the energy crisis on the Republic of Moldova, caused by the halt in natural gas supplies by the Russian concern Gazprom. Prime Minister Dorin Recean explained that the support package offered by the European Union includes three essential components. Its main objective is to immediately end the energy crisis, provide support to citizens and strengthen the long-term resilience of the national energy sector. “In essence, the EU is saving the Republic of Moldova again,” the Prime Minister said at a press conference.
What the EU support package includes
Immediate intervention: Today, the Republic of Moldova will provide three million cubic meters of gas to the left bank of the Nistru, to maintain the necessary pressure in the gas system. This measure provides a respite until January 31, 2025, the Prime Minister said.
Emergency intervention: Between February 1 and 10, the European Union will provide a grant of 30 million euros for the purchase of natural gas, which will also be used to produce electricity for the right bank of the Nistru at anti-crisis prices.
In the long term, the EU and the Government of the Republic of Moldova are working on a complex energy resilience plan for the next two years, Prime Minister Dorin Recean said. It has two components and includes investments in the production and distribution of electricity, to ensure the country's energy independence and to reduce energy tariffs. Details of this program are to be presented in the coming weeks, the head of government said.
“The European Commission has committed to be part of this grant package that is to be offered by the EU, if those on the left bank of the Nistru accept it. If they do not accept it, then they will have to recover these 3 million cubic meters or pay for it. We offer them these solutions, as we have offered them previously. Up to this point, the solutions have been refused. We offer an additional solution”.
We would like to point out that the alleged authorities in Tiraspol have today requested three million cubic meters of gas loan from Chisinau to cover the needs of the Transnistrian region. Meanwhile, the Russian press wrote on sources that the Transnistrian region is negotiating with two companies from Hungary that would deliver gas to the left bank. Commenting on this information, the Prime Minister explained:
“The government in Chisinau is not negotiating with anyone nor is it mediating any transactions. Both the government and state institutions must check the legality of local and international legislation of the contracts that are presented. Previously, some contracts were presented that the Government in Chisinau invalidated due to non-compliance with compliance norms. At this stage, as far as we know, Moldovagaz was requested by a company from Hungary, MOLL, which requested to go through the procedure of knowing the customer. It is a standard thing. Today, a standard draft contract was presented. We do not know other details. When we know, we will provide transparency and the Government's decision on whether these contracts are compliant or not".
We remind you that, after several weeks of categorically rejecting Chisinau’s offers of help and assistance, the so-called Tiraspol administration took a step back last week and declared that it was ready to purchase natural gas through the Moldovagaz company. The so-called Transnistrian leader, Vadim Krasnoselski, admitted that this was the only reliable solution to provide people’s homes and social infrastructure with light, heat and gas.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Oleg Serebrian, stated on the “Scaner” program on Moldova 1 that the Transnistrian region only had gas left for a few days, and coal for electricity production would be enough for two weeks at most. Therefore, the official says, a solution to the energy crisis must be found “as soon as possible”, “regardless of whether Russia will resume gas supplies to the region”.
