OREANDA-NEWS. May 04, 2009. This was announced by the Deputy Director of the General Directorate for Energy and Transport of European Commission Fabrizio Barbaso after signing of Memorandum on completion of negotiations on the accession of Moldova to energy community.

Fabrizio Barbaso noted that signed document will be submitted to the authorities of the Energy Community and 27 EU member states for approval. According to Fabrizio Barbaso, a formal decision on the accession of Moldova to energy community can be taken till the end of 2009. At the same time, after ratification of the official decision, Moldova could become a full member of the Energy Community in 2010.

The European official noted that the date of accession is not so important as Moldova has already started to harmonize its legislation with European standards in the field of energy. Fabrizio Barbaso said that accession to Energy community will mean a radical change in legislation of Moldova, leading to the improvement in the energy management systems, quality of electricity supply, improving competitiveness at the market and reducing prices. Harmonized legal framework will also help to attract foreign investment in the sector. By signing the memorandum, Moldova has committed itself to observe the schedule of harmonization of the national legislation with European standards as the condition of accession to the energy community.

The talk is about 15 legislative documents of EU in the field of electricity, gas, environment, alternative energy sources and security of supplies. In his turn, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of Moldova Tudor Copaci said that signing of memorandum is the first step towards accession of Moldova to the European Community, which will integrate the country into the regional energy market, significantly increasing the level of energy security.

Copaci said that signing of memorandum will be a positive sign in the process of accession to the Union for Coordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE). According to him, accession of Moldova to the energy community is one of the priorities of the Energy Strategy of the country. Since July 15, 2008 it was decided to commence negotiations on joining Energy Community. As the member of Energy Community, Moldova will have to contribute 3-4 thousands euros p.a. to be paid since the beginning of the next fiscal year after the accession to the community.