Moldova’s deputy prime minister for so-called reintegration, Oleg Serebrian, stated that “the cessation of gas supplies to Transnistria would not only be a crisis, but a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Thus, the official, who previously spoke about the need to exert political and economic pressure in the region, commented on the negotiations with Gazprom on the supply of gas to the Republic of Moldova after January 1, if Ukraine limits its transit.
“We are not only talking about the Transnistria region, we are also talking about settlements in the perimeter controlled by Chisinau, which may be affected by such a scenario. About 30 thousand consumers and residents of the right bank are connected to this gas distribution network. “This will lead to the collapse of the economic system of electricity supply, tens of thousands of families will suffer both on the left bank of the Dniester and on the right bank.” – Serebryan explained.
In Chisinau, people began to talk about the problems of Transnistria due to the risk of being left without electricity in winter. Located on the Left Bank, the Moldova State District Power Plant currently covers up to 90% of the electricity needs of Moldova’s Right Bank, the price of which is much higher among European partners. The Inter RAO-owned company is powered by Russian gas; if necessary, you can switch to charcoal; This is enough to maintain the energy system of Transnistria, but not the Republic of Moldova.
In this sense, Serebryan highlighted the importance of negotiations with “the aggressor country, even if they are undesirable.” With this objective, on November 25, the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Moldova traveled to Saint Petersburg. Victor Parlikov. The Russian concern has not yet commented on whether it was able to agree on an alternative route.
“We cannot say that something completely unexpected has happened. Many people, including from the European Union, are talking to Gazprom, but it is not as impressive as some claim. These are negotiations with an economic agent in the interests of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Nothing extraordinary happened. We look forward to the results of these discussions. Minister Parlikov will hold a press conference in which he will give the necessary explanations.” – said the head of the Reintegration Office.
A representative of the Moldovan government assured that the Ministry of Energy and other departments had considered various scenarios for the supply of gas to Transnistria.
“It is important for us that gas reaches consumers, both in the Transnistria region and in the right-bank settlements, at an affordable price and does not disrupt everyday life. Otherwise, the emerging scenarios will not be the most appropriate in conditions of political and security instability. Let us imagine that a collapse could occur with a real gas cut, but Chisinau must also take care of its citizens in Transnistria.” — concluded Oleg Serebryan.
As reported EADaily recently president of the Moldovan parliament, an ardent Russophobe Igor Grošu He stated that Chisinau cannot and should not avoid communication with the Russian group Gazprom. The leader of the country’s pro-European ruling Action and Solidarity party referred to the fact that other countries are doing the same, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Ukraine. In the context of the upcoming energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova, he also spoke about “taking care of Transnistria.” At the same time, he previously demanded that Tiraspol be forced to pay for gas and collect other taxes from the Republic of Moldova, and Serebryan used the term “positive discrimination” in relation to the republic not controlled by Chisinau.
