Moldova is highly interested in signing long-term gas contracts with Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Dorin Recean said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the occasion of the upcoming Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council's meeting to be held in Baku on April 4.
He noted that until recently, the Republic of Moldova was heavily dependent on a single gas supply source, namely the contract with Gazprom (via Moldovagaz).
"However, with the completion of the Iași-Ungheni-Chișinău gas pipeline and our integration into ENTSOG, Moldova has regained its energy independence and continues to explore new supply sources and transit routes," Recean explained.
The prime minister pointed out that Moldova's key priorities at the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council meeting will be:
- Energy independence and diversification of supply routes and sources to enhance Moldova’s resilience;
- Energy security and sustainability, ensuring uninterrupted and affordable energy for our citizens;
- Strengthening regional cooperation within the Southern Gas Corridor and Trans-Balkan Gas Corridor frameworks.
"Today, Moldova is no longer an energy-vulnerable or blackmail-prone state, and we are committed to maintaining this stability. Moldova remains open to discussions on new energy partnerships and long-term supply agreements that align with our strategy for energy security. Our commitments under the Letter of Intent signed between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the European Union reinforce our dedication to energy diversification and regional cooperation. We strongly support the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) and its role in enhancing European energy security. Moldova seeks to consolidate its energy independence by expanding its connections to alternative supply routes, including through partnerships facilitated by SGC," said Recean.
Moreover, as the prime minister noted, through its membership in the Central and South Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) initiative, Moldova is now an active player in the regional energy security architecture and a key transit country in the Southern Gas Corridor and Trans-Balkan corridor.
"The Republic of Moldova is highly interested in signing long-term gas contracts with Azerbaijan as part of our strategy to ensure reliable and uninterrupted gas supply for our citizens. We are exploring possibilities to secure stable volumes via SA Energocom, our state-owned gas supplier, in alignment with Moldova’s broader energy diversification strategy. Moldova appreciates Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable energy partner and looks forward to strengthening bilateral energy cooperation," he concluded.
