Popsoi on Gas Talks: Maia Sandu’s Contribution Was Pivotal

President Maia Sandu also contributed to the signing of the new 5-year natural gas contract via holding important discussions with European, American and Russian officials. PAS deputy Mihai Popsoi said this on the air of the program on N4TV channel, realitatea.md reports. “Ms. Maia Sandu’s contribution was pivotal, she coordinated the whole process holding discussions with our foreign partners, which also played an important role,” said Mihai Popsoi. When asked by the host of the program what do the Americans have to do with Russian gas, Popsoi replied, “The United States has certain financial and other opportunities to support. Ms Sandu spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel who are members of the European People’s Party. They could definitely help us and Maia Sandu talked to them. And yes, they helped us. You saw € 60 million that was offered as a non-refundable grant,” Popsoi added. At the same time, the vice-chairman of the parliament said that in this gas crisis Maia Sandu was able to benefit from her good relations, including with the presidents of Romania, Ukraine and Poland. Popsoi also recalled that the head of state held talks with Dmitry Kozak. “Ms. Sandu spoke with Mr. Kozak several times. The discussions between the two officials certainly contributed to the good result we got. It was important for us in the negotiation process not to confuse the political part with the economic one. Ms. Sandu voiced this message from the first day, and we were heard, which we are very happy about,” concluded Mihai Popsoi. Recall, on October 29, negotiations between the Moldovan and Russian delegations on the natural gas supply to the Republic of Moldova completed. They included many rounds in various formats, both with Gazprom in St. Petersburg and with the Russian presidential administration in Moscow. The last round of negotiations lasted three days, October 27-29, in St. Petersburg and ended with the signing of an agreement between the two parties for a period of five years. The authorities assure that the new contract is based on Moldova’s price formula.