You're reading: EU discussing additional support measures for Moldova in gas sphere

CHISINAU – President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has shared a phone call with Moldovan President Maia Sandu on the topic of gas supplies.

“The EU stands with Moldova. Our experts are on the ground to help with the situation. We are currently looking into additional support measures,” von der Leyen wrote on Twitter.

This month has seen the start of a gas crisis in Moldova. At the end of September, the gas supply contract between Moldovagaz and Gazprom expired. The contract was only temporarily extended for October, and this month, the Russian company is supplying gas at a price of $790 per thousand cubic meters, that is, notably higher than in September. In addition, only 67% of gas Moldova needs is contracted for October. In connection with this, Moldovagaz has asked consumers to use gas sparingly, while the authorities have declared that pressure has reduced in gas pipelines. Negotiations between Moldova and Russia on future gas supplies have yet to reach any kind of conclusion.

Russia says it is ready to supply gas to Moldova at market price with a 25% discount if the country pays its debt in the amount of over $700 million. The Moldovan authorities, in turn, say that the price offered by Gazprom is higher than the market price in the region, and an independent audit is necessary to determine the size of the debt.