OREANDA-NEWS. February 03, 2012. This was stated by vice-premier, minister of economy Valeriu Lazar. He has noted that the leadership of the Russian gas holding was sent the respective letter and stressed that Moldova is interested to recommence the talks as soon as possible so that to sign the new contract till the end of the first quarter.

According to Valeriu Lazar, Gazporm has resumed the gas contract talks with Ukraine and after their completion the talks with Moldova are likely to start again because they are to be held by the same group of participants. According to Alexandr Gusev, president of the administrative board of Moldovagaz, there are prerequisites for the purchasing price for Russian gas to become lower. He reminded that Moldovagaz is a joint Moldavian-Russian enterprise; in addition Moldova (leaving aside Transdniestria) has met its payment obligations and has not accumulated debts for the Russian gas since 2008 despite the price growing considerably.

Furthermore, as it has been noted in the ministry of economy, the current price at the sum of USD 400 per 1 thou. c.m. is unaffordable for consumers who have started to use less gas and to pay worse. Consumers in villages have begun to use alternative energy sources such as domestic coal, firewood, etc.

Since January, 1, 2012 Moldova has bought and is going to buy till the end of the first quarter the gas from Gazprom at the price calculated on the European formula. In Q1, the price per 1 thou. c.m. of Russian gas was USD 292,88 for Moldova, in Q2 it made up USD 321,71, in Q3 it amounted to USD 368,39, in Q4 it equaled USD 395,53. The expected price is USD 401,35 per 1 c.m. Gazprom has not presented Moldova findings on the gas basis price calculation for Q1, 2012 yet.