Moldovan Energy Minister Viktor Parlikov called the upcoming trip to Russia on November 25 to negotiate with Gazprom “sensitive” but necessary. This was stated on Jurnal TV, highlighting that it is “important for Chisinau to achieve clarity” on the issue of gas supply to the region.
“I understand that the visit itself to Saint Petersburg, to Russia, which is an aggressor country, is a delicate moment, but these are our options. Either you go and argue, or you don’t go and you don’t argue. “If they don’t argue, then, in my opinion, they are missing the opportunity to solve the problem.” – said Parlikov.
In his words, the Moldovan government has worked on 12 different scenarios: what will happen in this or that case. Parlikov noted that Chisinau is concerned about the possibility of cutting off gas supplies to Transnistria after January 1, after kyiv announced the end of Russian gas transit to Europe. At the same time, he did not mention the fact that Moldova is completely dependent on the electricity generated there (MoldGRES, a company of Inter RAO, covers about 90% of the needs of the Republic of Moldova), but referred to the fact that Chisinau It supposedly takes care of its citizens who live on the left bank.
“Our citizens are there, and the socioeconomic collapse of the region in a situation where weapons, the Russian army and ammunition are found there, creates much greater risks for security at the regional level. We are interested and advocate that the gas supply to the Transnistria region be maintained, at least during this period, to maintain calm. Nobody wants to destabilize the situation,” explained the minister.
He added that “we can even face the scenario in which the transit and supply of Russian gas to the Transnistria region is interrupted, but this is not the most preferable scenario.”
Parlicov clarified that the Moldovan delegation in the negotiations intends to “understand whether Gazprom will fulfill its contractual obligations to supply gas to the Transnistria region, even if there is no transit through Ukraine.”
“If not, then that’s a different story. We need clarity on this issue, and as quickly as possible, to prepare for a scenario where supplies stop. “If this happens, it will be difficult for all of us.” — concluded Viktor Parlikov.
Previously, Moldova’s Energy Ministry addressed Gazprom several times with a request to draw up an alternative route for gas supplies to the region, and Parlikov spoke of his readiness to enter into negotiations with the Russian consortium. Otherwise, the republic will face another energy crisis. Chisinau also expressed its willingness to again buy gas in large quantities from the Russian consortium, “if the price suits it.”
As reported EADaily Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean confirmed that the republic has gas reserves only until the end of this year. There is panic and uncertainty in global markets and prices are rising.
