Transnistria has agreed to Moldova's proposal to supply 3 million cubic meters of gas under a credit agreement, with the EU acting as the guarantor. Moldovagaz and Tiraspoltransgaz signed the corresponding contract, Vadim Cheban, the interim head of Moldovagaz, reported on January 29.
Cheban noted that the companies signed a loan agreement for 3 million cubic meters of gas to support the functionality of the gas system on the left bank of the Dniester. Deliveries will be made based on requests from Tiraspoltransgaz. Under the terms of the agreement, Tiraspoltransgaz must return the gas volume by March 1 or pay for it.
Meanwhile, the unrecognized PMR’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that:
"Transnistria welcomes the EU’s intention to provide an emergency financial grant to offer short-term support to the republic in the context of a humanitarian-energy crisis."
The authorities of Transnistria also proposed to hold a meeting with the Moldovan delegation as soon as possible, "due to the lack of precise information about the parameters of the support mentioned, as well as in response to the interpretations of certain Moldovan officials that contradict the content of the previously received letter from Moldova's political representative."
Transnistrian media pointed out that 3 million cubic meters of gas will be enough for Transnistria for 10 days, considering the current schedule of rolling blackouts and the nighttime operation of some enterprises, reportes NewsMaker.
- On January 27, Prime Minister Dorin Recean stated that the European Commission (EC) will allocate €30 million for gas purchases for Transnistria from February 1 to 10. To maintain pressure in the Transnistrian gas system before that time, Tiraspol will be provided with 3 million cubic meters of gas.
- Last week, representatives of the Transnistrian authorities reported that the gas situation in the region is critical, with pressure in the pipes reduced and only a few days' worth of gas remaining.
- In response to a follow-up question from journalists, Recean stated that these 3 million cubic meters are grant gas, but if Tiraspol does not want to accept this assistance, it can return it under loan terms or pay for it.
- Regarding the EU's decision to allocate a €30 million grant for gas purchases for Transnistria in the first decade of February, Recean said that this gas will be used for domestic consumption in Transnistria and for electricity generation at the Moldovan GRES for both banks of the Dniester. The price of electricity for the Right Bank, according to the Prime Minister, should be "pre-crisis" (the Right Bank purchased electricity from MoldGRES at $66 per 1 MWh, which is approximately two and a half times cheaper than buying on the Romanian market).
- Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky mentioned in an interview that Russia will provide Transnistria with a loan to purchase gas from Europe.
