Moldovan authorities say to continue backing citizens affected from Transnistrian region

Chisinau, 9 January /MOLDPRES/ - The cabinet will continue identifying the best solutions, in order to provide the access of Moldova’s citizens to essential services and support the people hit by the energy crisis, triggered by the Gazprom giant, on the left bank of Dniester, the government’s communication department has reported.   
The actions already undertaken by the authorities, as well as the ones which are to be implemented to ensure the access to electric energy and natural gas were discussed by President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean and Deputy PM for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian, at a meeting with local public authorities of the Security Zone.  
Since the starting of the energy crisis, decision-makers have approved a string of measures necessary, in order to ensure the supply with electric energy and natural gas of the consumers from the more settlements of the Security Zone, which are the control of the constitutional authorities, but which are connected to the energy infrastructure from the left bank of Dniester.
Under a decision by the Commission for Emergency Situations (CSE) from 6 January, the Varnita village, Anenii Noi district, and the Copanca village, Causeni district, are to be connected to the distribution power networks of the State Capital Enterprise, Premier Energy Distribution stock company. The operator will ensure the construction of new lines up to these villages. At the same time, the Reintegration Policies Bureau will discuss options of interconnection with the distribution networks which belong to the Tiraspol-based electric energy distribution company.   
At the same time, 14 settlements will be integrated into the natural gas distribution networks of the licenced operators of the Moldovagaz Company. According to PM Dorin Recean, the central and local authorities cooperate, in order to implement the interconnection measures; yet, the works, including the undercrossing of the Dniester river, take time to be finished.   
The government has already provided humanitarian assistance, including fuel and generators, in order to support the residents hit by the lack of electricity from Varnita and Cocieri. The discussions on the potential assistance continue with foreign partners as well.    
The Moldovan authorities stay available to provide wood, pellets, generators and food products to settlements from the Transnistrian region and those in the perimeter of the Security Zone, affected by the energy crisis. The government also works on projects for setting stations working on biomass, which would provide energy autonomy to public institutions, including schools, hospitals and kindergartens.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean stressed that, ever since the starting of the crisis, the Moldovan authorities had proposed to organize procurements for buying gas on behalf of the Transnistrian side, but they were refused. ‘’Tiraspol is not autonomous in the decisions it is taking. This crisis is induced by Russia, in order to destabilize Moldova and to use Moldova in Russia’s war against Ukraine,’’ the prime minister said.  
„We are willing to help the people hit by the crisis triggered by Russia. We remind that Gazprom has the contractual obligation to deliver gas till 2026. There is alternative route to carry it to Transnistria, but the Russian giant chose to infringe the contract and cease the deliveries,’’ President Maia Sandu said.
During the visit, the officials went to the Romanita kindergarten, Varnita Theoretical Lyceum and the Asclepio multifunctional community centre – institutions to which the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations delivered electric generators.