Moldovan government to pay current debts to Gazprom

Chisinau, 23 November /MOLDPRES/ - We will do everything needed, in order not to allow the ceasing of the gas supply, despite all speculations. Deputy Prime Minister, Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Andrei Spinu has made statements to this effect. Today evening, he held a news conference, given the announcement made by the Russian giant Gazprom to cease the supply of gas to Moldova because of the current debt.    

According to Spinu, the money left at Energocom, it is about of 1.4 billion lei, provided by the government to the enterprise to buy gas from alternative sources, will go to the account of Moldovagaz to pay off the debt to Gazprom, accumulated in October and 50 per cent advance payment from November.  

At the same time, Andrei Spinu noted that the way of payment had not been part of the negotiations on the new contract, but these were provisions already existing in the earlier contracts. Also, the infrastructure minister voiced regret about the choice of Gazprom to make the warning in the way it had done it.  

„The present government treats with all seriousness the subject on gas supply and energy security. We took a serious commitment to prepare the country for any energy crisis and we will continue working to this end. This week, we will put more provisions of the gas law for public consultations, which will allow us to be more prepared in the long run,’’ the official noted.  

On 22 November, a Gazprom representative, Sergey Kupriyanov, said that, ‘’in accordance with the contract, the Moldovan side was notified that the gas supplies would be ceased in 48 hours, because of the current debts.’’