Moldova is an energy-independent and safe place for investments, and the liberalization of the gas market will benefit both businesses and citizens, Victor Parlicov said.
The head of the Energy Ministry said this during the first gas business forum held in Chisinau, which is dedicated to the opportunities related to the liberalization of the natural gas market in Moldova. He spoke about Moldova's progress in the process of energy consolidation, liberalization of the gas market and integration of the national energy system into the European space. He also highlighted the opportunities created for Moldova's economic development and investment attractiveness, as well as the process of consolidating the country's energy system. He said that a new stage has started on the Moldovan natural gas market, and investors are convinced that the country is energetically safe. "Although it was promoted that Gazprom is the only market for cheap gas, last year, by buying gas on the European market, Moldova saved about 60 million euros. We will prove that the EU integration project will benefit everyone, while healthy competition and free market, in line with the European model, will offer consumers a better price than the one offered by monopolistic agreements accompanied by political blackmail," Victor Parlicov emphasized. The advantages of Moldova's integration into the EU energy market were discussed at one of the event's panels. The Director-General of the Romanian Energy Ministry's General Directorate Markets for Electricity and Natural Gas, Efficiency and Risks, Cristian-Florin Gheorghe reiterated Romania's support in the process of Moldova's integration into the European energy system. And U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Laura Hruby emphasized the U.S. readiness to continue supporting efforts to strengthen Moldova's energy security. "Through USAID's #MoldovaConectată (Connected Moldova) energy program, the United States has committed $389 million to help Moldova strengthen its energy security and deepen integration with European energy markets, thereby providing greater security and reducing economic pressure from households and businesses in Moldova," she said. EU Ambassador to Moldova Janis Mazeiks said that Moldova is making progress in establishing important interconnections in the electricity sector with Romania and Ukraine, adapting tax policies, developing renewable energy sources, and advancing in negotiations with the European Union - all these results will attract more investors to the country. The Forum brought together more than 100 participants, including representatives of Moldovan and Romanian state authorities, the Energy Community Secretariat, system operators and gas traders from Moldova and various countries in the region, including OMV Petrom, Romgaz, GTSOU, DEPA Commercial, GAZ-SYSTEM and others. The event is organized by the Ministry of Energy with USAID support within the framework of the Moldova Energy Security Activity (MESA), in partnership with BRM East Energy - a subsidiary of the Romanian Commodity Exchange, and Transgaz - the operator of the gas transmission system in Moldova. // 16.05.2024 - InfoMarket.
