Gas funded by the EU brings light back to a separatist region in Moldova
On Monday, authorities in Moldova's separatist Transdniestria began heating apartments during winter conditions after a month-long power cut. The European Union funded the resumption of natural gas flows.
Transdniestria - which separated from Moldova after the Soviet Union ended - relied on Russian Gas passing through Ukraine. But Kyiv refused a transit agreement beyond the new year, claiming it funded Moscow's almost three-year old invasion.
The first 3 million cubic meters (mcms) of natural gases were shipped by Moldovan energy firm Moldovagaz to the Russian-backed separatist region on Saturday.
Vadim Krsnoselsky (Transndniestria’s self-styled President) told reporters that the priority was to turn on the heating system.
The rolling blackouts have been stopped. "The rolling blackouts are over."
Krasnoselsky thanked Ursula von der Leyen for the 65,9 million euro ($64,9 million) funding provided for gas supplies.
He also thanked the Moldovan experts for ensuring that the gas was delivered in a timely manner to prevent the pipeline system from losing pressure.
Residents in the 350,000-strong region expressed relief that life has returned to normal in the area, where Russian peacekeepers remain in place after more than 30 years of a short conflict between separatists in the area and the newly independent state of Moldova.
Olga, a 38-year-old woman from Tiraspol, the largest regional city, said: "Not everyone is hot water, but there are at least heat, gas, and electricity."
"I don't have to go around the city looking for power to work remotely. The heating in my younger child's school still needs to be turned on before my older daughter returns to school.
Transdniestria will receive gas funding from the EU for 10 days in February. No other arrangements have been made. Krasnoselsky stated that the gas available had to be "used with maximum efficiency".
Energocom, a government-owned gas distribution company, began purchasing gas from European markets for Transdniestia - approximately 3 mcm a day - on Saturday.
Some of the EU funds are to be used by government-controlled Moldova to provide electricity for its own residents.
Moldova relied on the thermal plant located in a separatist region for cheap electricity, but decided it was cheaper to purchase power from European suppliers.
Gas has long been a source tensions between Russia and Moldova. Moldova is located between Ukraine and Romania.
After Ukraine refused the renewal of the transit agreement, Moldova asked Russian Gazprom to supply gas via alternative routes, mainly Turkey.
Gazprom claimed that Moldova had to first settle arrears, which it estimated to be $709 million. This figure was disputed by Chisinau. (Reporting and Writing by Alexander Tanas; Editing by Margueritachoy)
(source: Reuters)
