EU to provide Moldova with technical support to diversify energy sources

Chisinau, 28 October /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita has appreciated the quickness with which the European Union had provided the 60-million-euros-worth support to Moldova for the compensation of the increase in the natural gas’ price.

At a news conference held jointly with the coordinator of the European Union’s foreign policy, Josep Borrell, Natalia Gavrilita thanked the European authorities for the reaction speed with which it had provided the financial support of 60 million euros to Moldova, as well as for the technical support offered to find alternative sources of purchasing natural gas. ‘’This is an additional financial assistance, which will be used for compensating the payments at the natural gas for the disadvantaged people,’’ Gavrilita noted.  

At the same time, the Moldovan official said that the Chisinau authorities were interested in signing a long-term contract with Gazprom at a price they afford to pay. ‘’We have been a partner of Gazprom and we want to sign a long-term contract which we can honour,’’ the PM specified. În același timp, oficialul moldovean a spus că autoritățile de la Chișinău sunt interesate să semneze un contract pe termen lung cu Gazprom la un preț pe care și-l pot permite să îl plătească. „Am fost un partener al Gazprom și dorim să semnăm un contract pe termen lung pe care să îl putem onora”, a specificat primul ministru.

For his part, Joseph Borrell said that ‘’the assistance offered cannot fully cover the price increases registered at the natural gas,’’ and that ‘’it is a first step of the measures of help provided to Moldova.’’  ‘’I regard a technical support for diversifying the energy sources as a solution to this energy crisis,’’ Borrell stressed.  

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said that the European authorities would not hinder the signing by Moldova of a long-term contract with Gazprom, as long as no political dimensions are included in it. ‘’We notice, however, that this increase in the natural gas prices for Moldova is used as a weapon,’’ Borrell said.