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Moldova looks outside Russia as Gazprom deal ends
Updated 02:21, 28-Oct-2021
CGTN
Europe;
The Moldovan energy company had to source from Poland for the first time./ Reuters/Vladislav Culiomza

The Moldovan energy company had to source from Poland for the first time./ Reuters/Vladislav Culiomza

Moldova could run out of gas if it does not strike a new deal with either Gazprom or one of Europe's gas suppliers. 

On Tuesday the Moldovan government was forced to sign a short-term deal with Polish gas supplier PGNiG for 1 million cubic meters of natural gas. It was the first time since the nation's independence it has purchased gas from any other supplier than Russia. 

The government statement said the purchase "was organised on an urgent basis due to reduction in gas supplies to Moldova by Gazprom."

It comes during a time of gas shortages and price rises across Europe. 

 

The current deal ended in September, but was extended until the end of October - but Gaprom warned it could cut Moldova's gas supply if the country does not settle its bill and sign a new contract.

The price per thousand cubic meters of natural gas has risen from $550 to $790, which the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova, Andrei Spinu, said was "not justified and not realistic."

"We want to sign a long-term contract, but with mutually advantageous prices and terms," Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said. She was elected in August on a pro-EU platform, and has said she hopes to sign energy supply deals with European nations. 

Talks on Wednesday were held in St Petersburg, where Spinu met Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday's talks will have an "absolutely commercial nature" and denied any political motive behind the talks or gas supply.

"There is no politicisation here and there cannot be," he said.

Source(s): AFP

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