In order to receive a new EU grant of 60 million euros for gas purchases after February 10, Transnistria must fulfill the terms on observance of human rights and revise the tariffs for energy resources - Dorin Recean has said
At the same time, Moldovan Prime Minister said that if Tiraspol does not fulfill these terms, the local authorities will have to find a solution for the supply of “blue fuel” to the region on their own. According to Prime Minister, the first and the most important condition concerns the fundamental rights and freedoms that are not respected in the Transnistrian region, and the fulfillment of these terms should be agreed with the Moldovan government. Another important factor for Transnistria to receive new EU grant aid is the revision of tariffs for energy resources supplied to consumers. In particular, industrial consumers and companies exporting products to European markets should start paying for energy at a market price. Prime Minister said that the Transnistrian authorities are trying to find a way to supply the region with natural gas, and in these conditions, the Moldovan authorities will make sure that their deals comply with both the Moldovan and international legislation. For her part, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said that the terms for Transnistria to receive a new EU grant of 60 million euros are the release of political prisoners and a gradual increase in the tariffs for natural gas and electricity in the region, in order to gradually pass from a symbolic to a market price for energy resources. President specified that the tariffs could be raised gradually, according to an agreed schedule, without naming specific figures and dates. “The money from the European Union will arrive if the region fulfills these terms. The funds are planned until the end of the heating season. Otherwise, they will have to cope on their own; they will have to find a way to deliver Russian gas or gas bought with Russian money, but according to a formula that does not violate international sanctions and, accordingly, Moldovan legislation,” the head of state emphasized. Earlier it was reported that the European Commission and Moldova agreed on a two-year Comprehensive Strategy for Moldova's energy independence and resilience, which pursues two goals: to rid the country of security risks related to energy supplies from Russia and to fully integrate it into the EU energy market. According to this Strategy, total support to Moldova will amount to 250 million euros in 2025, of which 100 million euros will be provided by the EU by mid-April. In addition to this general support and within the framework of the same strategy, it is proposed to allocate 60 million euros for the inhabitants of the Transnistrian region under certain terms. //07.02.2025 - InfoMarket.
