Moldovan acting PM, EU commissioner broach energy issues

Chisinau, 19 December /MOLDPRES/- Acting Prime Minister Iurie Leanca met European Commissioner for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels on 18 December. The officials approached the measures taken by the Moldovan authorities to diversify the energy resources, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

Leanca said that one of main goals of the policy promoted by the government was connection to the EU energy market, which provided the best solutions to enhancing the state's energy security.

In the context, the sides tackled the issue of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, which needed continuity and additional efforts, to make possible diversification of the Moldovan energy market. The acting premier launched an appeal for support to turn to good account the full capacity of the pipeline, starting from 2017, namely, to expand the pipeline to Chisinau.

At the same time, Leanca expressed interest in an EU initiative to set up a high-level working group on interconnection of the European energy markets and diversification of gas supply sources. As for the consolidation of electric energy infrastructure, the prime minister noted that the Moldovan authorities analysed the opportunity to connect Moldova to the EU market via Romania. Thus, in January 2015, a memorandum is scheduled to be signed with the Romanian side, confirming the priorities for interconnection both for the gas and electricity networks.

For his part, Maroš Šefčovič said the EU energy did not limit itself to the EU borders and the European energy infrastructure would reach Moldova as well.

The premier paid a two-day visit to Brussels. He had separate meetings with more European commissioners, new President of the European Council Donald Tusk, and attended a Summit of the European Popular Party.