OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2014. Moldova will initiate, after the New Year, negotiations with Russia on signing of a new contract on gas supply for a period from 3 to 5 years, Deputy Minister, relieved of his duties Economics Minister has made statements to this effect in an interview given to RIA Novosti news agency.

„We agreed to prolong the supplies of Russian gas for another year, till 31 December 2015. But, after the talks held with the Gazporm management in Chisinau, we decided, after the New Year, to start negotiations on a contract for a 3-5 year period,” Candu said.

Though in conditions of the present agreement valid for a year, it may be approached more flexibly the issue of price setting. It is also the case of Ukraine. But, Moldova is found in a more privileged situation than Ukraine, which pays 380 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters of gas. Whereas, we got a price of 331.8 dollars, Candu added. Certainly, „for the sake of the economic stability, it would be better to have a contract for three years at least”.

Andrian Candu also underlined that, late in 2014 or early in 2015, the Moldovan government planned to present to Russia the schedule on paying off debts for gas, which reached the amount of 400 million dollars. „We have already found the formula to solve the problem,” Candu said.

Andrian Candu also added that Moldova did not receive and would not receive in 2014 gas through the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline. The gas supplies from Romania will start in 2015. In order to make the gas pipeline operational, some technical works still are necessary, which will be completed in 2015. The possible price of Romanian gas would be of 280-290 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, by 13-14 per cent lower than to the Russian one.