The Republic of Moldova needs a plan to pay for gas, after Gazprom’s threats
The government of the Republic of Moldova, faced with warnings from Gazprom regarding the state of supplies, must establish a plan to pay gas suppliers, as winter is fast approaching, Moldovagaz head Vadim Ceban said on TV8 TV on Thursday, reports Reuters . .
GazpromPhoto: Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP / Profimedia
To cover October requirements, Chisinau has to pay for 53 million cubic meters of gas, but the figure will increase significantly next month.
“In November, with the cold weather, the volume of gas will increase to 150 million cubic meters and we will have to stop thinking about how we will pay,” declared Ceban.
Last week, Gazprom threatened the Republic of Moldova with the cessation of gas supplies and including the possible termination of the contract, if the outstanding payments are not made by October 20, following the criticism of the Chisinau Government related to the 30% reduction in gas volume . Russian delivered to the Republic of Moldova.
The Russian company accused the Moldovagaz company of “repeatedly violating the contractual conditions regarding the payment terms” and, in addition, the company repeatedly asked Gazprom for “less stringent contractual conditions in terms of the volume supplied”, and the Russian company “satisfied with regularity these requests”.
According to the five-year contract, Moldovagaz and Gazprom would establish by the beginning of November the volumes of gas delivered in the next 12 months.
“President Vladimir Putin is certainly hoping when consumers see how much they are paying to elect a more Russia-friendly government. We will find other sources and, if we cannot make the payments, we will find ways to save,” analyst Sergiu Tofilat told Reuters.
The Republic of Moldova, which was part of the former USSR, is heavily dependent on Russian gas and is seeking to diversify its supply, following disputes with Russian firm Gazprom over the price of cutting supplies. (Source Agerpres)