Moldovan delegation paying visit to Moscow

A Moldovan governmental delegation led by Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar is paying a working visit to Moscow, where the sides are negotiating details of a new Inter-Governmental Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation. This information was provided to Infotag by a source in the Ministry of Economy, who refrained from disclosing details of the negotiations.     

The Agreement is called to regulate transit of the Russian natural gas via the Moldovan territory, implementation of the Third Energy Package by Moldova, guarantees for investments, a mechanism of handling gas arrears, and elements of a new gas supply contract between Moldovagaz and Gazprom.     

Recently, the World Bank stated readiness to render Moldova assistance in negotiations with Gazprom in what concerns restructuring of Moldovagaz’ arrears to Gazprom. The arrears figure exceeds US$4.5 billion, though a greater part of it is the debt owed by the Transnistrian region.    

In order «to simplify the holding of negotiations on signing the Agreement, in particular on the gas supply contract with Gazprom», the European Union has permitted Moldova to put off the introduction of the Third Energy Package until year 2020 from the initial 2017.    

At the same time, the Russian side voiced readiness to reduce its gas rate by 30% if Moldova gives up implementing the Second and Third Energy Packages that demand the so-called unbundling – the separation of generation and transmission businesses, and third-party access to infrastructure. 

Adapted from Infotag