Energy ministries of Moldova, Romania sign memorandum on cooperation in joint projects, promotion of innovation

Chisinau, 24 October /MOLDPRES/ - Energy Ministers of Moldova and Romania, Victor Parlicov and Sebastian Burduja, respectively, today in Chisinau signed a Memorandum of understanding on cooperation for the carrying out of  joint projects and development of partnerships for the promotion of innovation in the energy sector between the two countries.    

The memorandum envisages the cooperation for the implementation of joint projects and partnerships between the two countries, which will allow developing the capacities, involving young people, the scientific cooperation, etc. ‘’We should give the gifted young people of Moldova a perspective for self-accomplishment in fields which will be quite promising in the next 30-40 years, which they would have not had, if this cooperation did not exist,’’ Victor Parlicov said.

„Romania supports Moldova in the energy sector. The close relation between the two energy ministries is not a secret for anybody and I am happy with the fact that our country can help Moldova everywhere where needed. Even if the fight is difficult, Moldova’s accession to the European Union will take place and Romania will give a helping hand to assist this process. Romania also went through a fight to choose its natural way – the one to reach the heart of Europe, where our place has always been. There is where we will reunify, sooner or later, with our brothers from beyond the Prut river,’’ Sebastian Burduja said.   

For his part, Minister Victor Parlicov thanked Romania for the permanent assistance and willingness to be with us next winter as well. ‘’The security stores of natural gas for the cold season were deposited in Romania and the electric energy which is not covered from the local production is purchased also from the Romanian market. I highlight also the importance of the completion on term of the electric energy interconnections between the two countries, which will enhance the energy security of Moldova and will ensure the physical coupling to the European energy market. It is about the construction of the high-tension power lines Vulcanesti-Chisinau, Balti-Suceava and Straseni-Gutinas, with the latter’s finalization scheduled for 2029,’’ Parlicov also said.     

Romania plays an essential role in backing the efforts of consolidation of Moldova’s energy independence. The construction of the overhead power line Isaccea-Vulcanesti-Chisinau is in full swing and the works on the power line Suceava-Balti will start soon. These power lines will connect the electric network of Moldova to the Romanian one and to the European market. Starting from 2021, when the gas pipeline Iasi-Ungheni was put into operation, Moldova has not been depending on a single provider of natural gas and can provide the needed amount for its consumers on the right bank of Dniester, buying gas on the European market.   

On 11 December 2024, the energy ministries of Moldova and Romania will sign also a memorandum of understanding on the carrying out of projects on interconnection of the natural gas and electric energy networks. Its signing was authorized at a cabinet meeting on 23 October.