The so-called Foreign Minister of Transnistria published a statement on Wednesday welcoming the European Union’s assistance in resolving the gas crisis in the pro-Russian region and proposing discussions between „experts” from both banks of the Dniester River.
Moldovagaz company announced that it has already signed a loan agreement with Tiraspoltransgaz for 3 million cubic meters of natural gas to support the functioning of the gas system on the left bank of the Dniester.
"Deliveries will be made based on requests received from Tiraspoltransgaz. According to the contract conditions, this volume of natural gas must be returned by March 1, 2025," the statement published by Moldovagaz states.
In this context, the so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Transnistria proposed the urgent organization of a meeting between specialists to clarify the "exact details and conditions" of the financial support.
"Transnistria welcomes the EU's intention to provide emergency financial assistance to support the short-term needs of the republic in the context of the humanitarian and energy crisis. Considering the lack of precise information regarding the parameters of this support, as well as the interpretations of some officials of the Republic of Moldova that contradict the content of the letter previously received from the political representative of Moldova, the Transnistrian party has proposed the urgent organization of a meeting between specialists," the statement from Tiraspol reads.
The Transnistrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the need for discussions to take place as soon as possible "to clarify the exact details of the mentioned proposal."
In these circumstances, Chisinau and Tiraspol have decided to hold a technical working meeting on Wednesday afternoon, online, to discuss the aspects of implementing the energy support offered to the Transnistrian region by the European Union and the Republic of Moldova, according to NewsMaker.
Although the authorities in Chisinau had previously announced that the meeting would take place on January 30, at the insistence of Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnoselski, it was rescheduled, according to the cited source. The Transnistrian leader said it was urgent because any delay prolongs the suffering of Transnistrian residents.
"Today, the Reintegration Bureau informed us that they are ready to organize the meeting tomorrow, on Thursday, which does not suit us. We must not waste time, people have been waiting for heating for over a month. We have the whole working day ahead, an evening and a night in which we can discuss even by phone or online," stated the Transnistrian leader.
According to the Reintegration Policy Bureau in Chisinau, representatives of energy companies from both banks of the Dniester are invited to the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to clarify the technical details of the support intended for the Transnistrian region.
On Monday, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Dorin Recean, announced in a press conference that "The European Union is once again saving the Republic of Moldova", granting a support package that includes a solution for the gas crisis in Transnistria.
The support package from the European Union has three components, and the "immediate component" includes the approval of a gas "loan" for Transnistria, as stated by Recean. Another component of the EU aid package provides that the EU will offer Chisinau a grant of 30 million euros between February 1-10 to purchase gas, to produce electricity at the Cuciurgan power plant at "crisis-proof costs" and to ensure consumption for the left bank of the Dniester.
On Tuesday, Vadim Krasnoselski stated that Russia will provide Transnistria with a credit to purchase gas from Europe.