Joint border control, energy projects on Prime Minister’s agenda during visit to Kyiv

The possibility of Ukrainian border guards conducting border checks on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, in the context of joint border crossing points, will be discussed during Prime Minister Vasile Tofan’s visit to Kyiv. Energy cooperation and infrastructure development will also be on the agenda, Ukrainian Ambassador to Chisinau Paun Rohovei said on Forum program on Vocea Basarabiei.

The diplomat said that the project to organize border checks on the territory of the Republic of Moldova is underway and could be implemented within the framework of cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.


“This subject is under discussion, and it is very realistic to implement it within the framework of those joint border crossing point projects between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. We recently had an official visit by the prime minister to Kyiv. This subject will be discussed, and, in addition to it, there will be other very interesting topics related to our interests in the energy and infrastructure development sectors,” Paun Rohovei said.


The ambassador thanked the authorities in Chisinau for agreeing to allow activities to continue at the border crossing points on the territory of the Republic of Moldova after several crossing points on Ukrainian territory were destroyed in attacks.

Recently, the Republic of Moldova withdrew its Border Police and Customs Service personnel from four joint control points located on Ukrainian territory. In this context, the authorities are discussing the possibility of Ukrainian border guards conducting checks on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, in cooperation with Moldovan institutions.

Referring to the security risks facing border crossing points, Paun Rohovei said that the entire region is exposed to dangers generated by the war launched by Russia against Ukraine, while the intensification of drone attacks is increasing the risks.


“The Republic of Moldova is a neighboring state to a country where there is a hot war,” the diplomat said, noting that Ukrainian authorities are making efforts to defend the country’s airspace.


According to the ambassador, the Odesa region is exposed to greater risks because it is frequently attacked. He stressed that there are dangers for crossing points on Ukrainian territory, while the authorities are trying to ensure the continuity of border control operations.

Rohovei said that organizing checks on the territory of the Republic of Moldova is a way to continue the work of customs and border institutions, given that infrastructure on the Ukrainian side has been affected by attacks.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Vasile Tofan will visit Ukraine at the end of this week. The Republic of Moldova could import natural gas from Ukraine as the authorities in Chisinau seek more advantageous contracts. The two countries are already holding discussions on possible cooperation in the gas market, the prime minister said.


“We have a visit to Ukraine planned. We will go there at the end of the week. It is a very important partnership for us. We have many common issues: energy, water, trade, security, including the issue that concerns most Moldovans — natural gas. We are engaged in very intensive discussions regarding possible cooperation in the gas market. Ukraine is a gas producer, and we are holding talks to identify solutions,” Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said during the Government meeting on October 21.


Ukraine has domestic production and a surplus of natural gas, which could open up new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, the prime minister emphasized.

Ambassador Paun Rohovey said that Ukraine is willing to cooperate with the Republic of Moldova in the energy sector and supply natural gas if the authorities in Chisinau request it. Rohovey noted that Ukraine recently unblocked exports of surplus natural gas and continues to supply electricity to our country despite the war.


“Recently, we unblocked exports of Ukraine’s surplus natural gas. Ukraine is willing to cooperate with everyone interested, including the Republic of Moldova, and certainly, if necessary and if the Republic of Moldova turns to Ukraine, we will be ready to do this, just as we did during that energy crisis a few years ago, when many people were making all sorts of predictions that Moldova was finished. This can be done, and we are ready to do it. I may surprise you, but Ukraine continues to export electricity to the Republic of Moldova even during wartime,” Rohovei said.


In December 2022, the Republic of Moldova stopped purchasing natural gas from Gazprom for the right bank of the Dniester, turning instead to European markets. The gas is purchased by the state-owned company Energocom from European traders and suppliers and then transported to the Republic of Moldova through the regional gas infrastructure.