Popsoi: We Are Waiting for Kozak in Chisinau to Agree on the Gas Price

The Moldovan side hopes for the arrival of the Deputy head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kozak in the coming days to make progress in negotiations on gas supplies. This was stated on Friday by Deputy Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament Mihai Popsoi during a broadcast on the RTR Moldova TV channel, tass.ru reports. “Naturally, there have always been political nuances in the issues of gas supplies. Negotiations are still under way, at different levels. We have received confirmation that Dmitry Kozak will come to Chisinau within days”, Popsoi said. He recalled that the deputy head of the Kremlin administration had already held talks with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in early August. “A preliminary agreement was reached that the gas supply contract, which expired on September 30, will be extended. But then, there arose this energy crisis and an increase in gas prices, for which negotiations on signing a contract between [the companies] Moldovagaz and Gazprom were delayed,” Popsoi explained. He expressed hope for Kozak’s visit to bring “complete clarity and a signed contract”. On September 30, Moldovagaz and Gazprom extended the contract for gas supplies until the end of October, while negotiations take place. This month, the republic will import fuel at a market price of about $ 790 per 1 thousand cubic meters. At the same time, last year the republic paid an average of $ 148.87 per 1 thousand cubic meters. The Moldovan authorities in negotiations with Gazprom are asking to lower the price, expecting to pay an average of $ 200-300 per 1 thousand cubic meters. In return, Chisinau offers to discuss the repayment of historical debts, as well as to postpone the implementation of the provisions of the Third EU Energy Package, which affects Gazprom’s investments in Moldova. Meanwhile, on Wednesday Moldova announced a “state of alert” in the energy sector due to a likely increase in gas prices and a decrease in its supply volumes. The authorities urged people to consume gas sparingly, promising to develop a compensation package for individuals and economic agents in case of its sharp rise in price. Also, negotiations have also been launched to find alternative gas sources in the markets of Ukraine and Romania, and it was decided to transfer power plants to fuel oil from the state reserve to save money. Point