Moldovan government intends to call for state of emergency in energy sector today

Chisinau, 22 October /MOLDPRES/- Prime Minister Natalia Gavriliţa announced this morning that she is convening the Commission for Emergencies (CSE) and will demand the establishment of a state of emergency in the country in connection with the energy crisis. Also today, Gavrilita will go to parliament to ask for the adoption of the state of emergency, which will allow the government more actions to provide the country with gas and overcome the crisis.

The premier explained that the situation was caused by the negotiations with Gazprom which are moving difficult, and the Moldovagaz company has not met obligations and has recently admitted a deficit of 16 million cubic meters of gas, which means 67% of the planned volume. "Moldovagaz does not keep its word and makes us move faster in the direction of alternative sources," the official said.

According to Natalia Gavriliţa, "today's objective has five simple steps: 1. We enter the CSE which makes the decision to declare a state of emergency, which allows the derogation from certain procedures and laws, including the allocation of money for Energocom, without going through the procedure for a month.  2. After the CSE, the government will convene in a meeting to approve the decision on the establishment of the state of emergency. 3. I will go to parliament to explain to the deputies the need for this state, after which I will ask for the approval of the draft law in this respect. 4. After the vote in the Parliament, the Commission for Emergencies will meet again, and will decide on allocation of the financial means to Energocom. 5. Energocom will purchase gas from tradesmen in order to fill the necessary volumes, providing the country with gas”.

Attending the briefing, deputy speaker Mihai Popşoi said "the Legislature was elected to protect the interest of the citizen, or that is why the Parliament will vote to provide the necessary levers to the Government to respond promptly to challenges in the energy sector."

"Parliament will respond to the Executive's request and support all of its decisions because we have full confidence," Popsoi said.

Popsoi urged the opposition and extra-parliamentary parties not to politicize the situation, noting "now we must gather the ranks and not forget that we are all promoters of the country's interest".