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Moldovan PM: EU has provided 30 million Euros for Transdniestria gas supply

Posted to Maritime Reporter on January 27, 2025

Moldovan Prime Minster Dorin Recean announced on Monday that the European Union would provide 30 million euro ($31.5million) for the purchase and transportation of natural gas into Transdniestria - the region which has broken away from Moldova.

The self-styled leader of a pro-Russian separatist area, which has been gripped by power cuts and heating shortages since the new year, expressed optimism and predicted that gas would be flowing to his region within the next week.

Since January 1, Russia's Gazprom has suspended gas exports into the region. The company cited a Moldovan debt of $709 millions that Chisinau doesn't recognize as valid.

Recean said at a press conference that the EU would provide immediate financial assistance of 30 million euro for the purchase of necessary natural gas.

Recean announced that Moldova had approved the additional transfer of 3 million cubic meters of gas to Transdniestria. Gas has been used in the area to power a thermal station that supplies electricity for areas controlled by the government of Moldova.

Recean informed reporters that the Hungarian firm MOL planned to sign a gas supply contract with Moldovagaz for Transdniestria.

Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krsnoselsky had said Friday that the gas reserves will be exhausted in a few days. He urged central government to stop "artificial delay" and supply new supplies.

Krasnoselsky said on Monday that he was "a cautiously optimistic" about the positive outcome of the current situation.

As of today, there are ongoing talks. The supplier will be European. "Russia is giving us credits," he stated.

He said that the local gas distributor Tiraspoltransgaz would use the credit to pay for the gas delivered to the area.

He said that if everything goes well, gas would be delivered by the end the week.

Daniel Voda is the press secretary for the central government of Moldova. He said that the EU agreed to provide 30 millions euros of assistance to help the government of Moldova produce and distribute power free of charge to the government-held regions of Moldova from February 1 to 10. Voda wrote on Telegram that this would lower electricity prices in Moldova. Prices have been rising sharply ever since the thermal power plant in the separatist area halted supply. Moldova buys power from Romania, with a markup of 30 to 35 percent.

Moscow has blamed the suspension of gas supply on pro-Western Moldova, and Ukraine. They refused to extend the five-year transit agreement that expired on December 31, claiming that the proceeds were used to fund Russia's invasion.

Recean stated that "in parallel, the Moldovan Government and the EU work on a two year aid package to improve the energy resilience of all the country."

(source: Reuters)

Tags: Transportation Asia Europe North Asia

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