Moldova will no longer purchase gas from Gazprom. This was announced by the Minister of Energy of the Republic, Viktor Parlikov, during his speech at the Euro-Atlantic Sustainability Forum.
“We will no longer purchase natural gas from Gazprom for the region controlled by the constitutional authorities” stated Parlikov.
The minister assured that the republic has reached an agreement on supplies for the European market.
“Moreover, we were able to do this at a lower price than the formula envisaged in our contract with Gazprom,” Parlikov said.
The dispute has been prolonged
There is a long-standing dispute between Gazprom and Moldova: the Russian company demands a debt of $709 million from Moldovagaz, and only $8.6 million of this debt is recognized by the country.
When extending the contract in 2021, the parties agreed to conduct an audit and then pay the debt. Moldovan authorities hired Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS (Norway) and Forensic Risk Alliance &Co (UK).
On September 6, the Moldovan Council of Ministers presented the auditors’ report and, based on it, offered to pay Gazprom only $ 8.6 million; This is less than 1% of the $709 million debt ($433 million principal, the rest late payment interest).
President Maia Sandu stated that auditors did not detect Moldova’s debt in the amounts announced by Gazprom. He believes that the Russian side “wants to quickly deceive” Moldova.
“They left us without gas. Winter is just around the corner. “Let’s sign right away that you will return 800 million dollars in four years and you will have gas.” We said we couldn’t sign because it was too much money and we couldn’t sign for it. “You won’t have any gas,” they told us. said Sandu at a meeting with representatives of the Women’s Association in early September.
In response, Gazprom stated that the audit could not affect the size and validity of the debt in any way, since it was carried out in violation of all agreements.
“The terms of the tender for the purchase of the auditor and his services were determined unilaterally by the Moldovan side without the consent of Gazprom and Moldovagaz (the majority of the company’s shares belong to Gazprom – socialbites.ca). The auditor’s report was not approved by the Supervisory Board of JSC Moldovagaz, as provided for in the agreements between PJSC Gazprom and the government of the Republic of Moldova” – says In the company’s comments.
The company vowed to continue defending its rights “in every possible way.”
“We are now like crooks in a serious business society who have borrowed money to some extent, then come up with something and announce that we will not pay.” Reacted Former Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova Alexander Muravsky responded to the news of the dispute (he negotiated with Gazprom in the late 90s).
Moldova is ready to offer only $153.57 million
Recently Moldovan authorities offered Gazprom will resolve the dispute for $153.57 million, and this amount will be offered as compensation for “tariff deviations”. Chisinau also guaranteed that no lawsuits would be filed in connection with the decrease in supply for debt cancellation.
Gazprom did not respond whether they were ready to consider a settlement agreement.
Rising gas prices sparked protests in Moldova. In March, the opposition Shor party presented an ultimatum to the government to pay people’s gas, electricity and heating bills.
“We have the largest accounts in Moldova. We have the highest inflation rate in Europe. The government is not helping us; Maia Sandu is constantly abroad. “We will defend our rights” spoke Shor party MP Marina Tauber at one of the protests.
Source: Gazeta
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