Moldova has become an important player in ensuring regional energy security - the Ministry of Energy
Moldovan Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu stated this while speaking at the Natural Resources Summit in Istanbul. According to the Ministry of Energy, this was an important event for discussing developments in the energy sector and the goals and priorities of countries in the region with a view to strengthening mutual cooperation. Turkish President Recep Erdogan also took part in the Summit. During the summit, the Moldovan Energy Minister also held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. During the panel discussion “Supply Dynamics: Challenges and Opportunities,” Dorin Junghietu emphasized the crucial role of the Vertical Gas Corridor for natural gas imports in the context of instability and crises caused by Russia. He noted that Moldova depends on its neighbors not only for gas but also for electricity. “This is a legacy of the past, and we must manage it by turning challenges into opportunities. Together with our partners, we have managed to build an alternative gas transportation route. Moldova was the first country to use the Greek-Bulgarian interconnector for commercial purposes and successfully tested reverse flow through the Trans-Balkan pipeline, supplying liquefied natural gas from the US. Thus, Moldova has become an active participant in regional energy security,” said Dorin Junghietu. During talks with Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, he agreed to intensify cooperation on the basis of the memorandum of cooperation signed last November, aimed at exchanging knowledge and experience, developing joint projects, attracting investment, and strengthening energy security. Specific opportunities in the fields of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, electricity trade, and smart technologies in the energy sector were also discussed. The Moldovan Energy Minister discussed with his Bulgarian counterpart, Zhecho Stankov, the continuation of cooperation under the memorandum of understanding signed in 2024, which provides for specific measures in the event of a potential crisis in the sector. They also discussed solutions for Moldovan companies to access Bulgarian storage infrastructure and regional energy markets. “Bulgaria is an important partner for Moldova not only in the energy sector, but also in the economic, social, and educational spheres. We are determined to develop this strategic partnership, which contributes to the stability and energy security of both countries,” Dorin Junghietu said. During a meeting with Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja, the Moldovan Energy Minister emphasized the importance of projects to integrate the energy systems of the two countries. According to him, Romania has been and remains a significant source of support for Moldova in the development and sustainability of its energy sector. “We are pleased to strengthen these relations through strategic projects such as the Vulcanesti-Chisinau power line, as well as through new joint infrastructure projects such as the new Balti-Suceava and Straseni-Gutinas power lines. I also invite Romanian companies to participate in tenders for the construction of renewable energy plants and energy storage batteries, which will be launched this fall,” said Dorin Junghietu. The Moldovan Minister of Energy confirmed our country's interest in more attractive tariffs for natural gas transit through Romania in order to facilitate supplies in the Greece-Bulgaria-Romania-Ukraine Vertical Gas Corridor. “We need more connections with Europe for gas and electricity supplies, and Romania, as our reliable friend, will support us in this regard,” concluded Dorin Junghietu. // 05.05.2025 — InfoMarket
