A gas pipeline linking Romania to Moldova and aimed at reducing the latter's dependence on Russian gasis still not being used, a month after being launched,as the parties have failed to reach an agreement, Romania's state energy department said on Thursday.
Romania's largest natural gasproducer, state-controlled Romgaz, is innegotiations with Moldova a gas monopoly Moldovagaz on potential gas deliveries, but the talks have not been finalised, representatives of the energy department toldSeeNews.
Moldovagazis 50%-owned by Russian giant Gazprom, which isthe sole exporter of gas to Moldova.The Moldovan government owns35.33% of Moldovagaz and the remaining 13.44% is held by the government of Transnistria, a pro-Russian separatist republic within Moldova.
"Romgaz is open to a collaboration and we are awaiting their conclusions regarding our proposals," Romania'senergy department added.
At the official opening of the gas interconnector, on August 27, Moldova's prime minister Iurie Leanca said gas deliveries were expected to start as of September 1.
The gas pipeline, which links the Romaniancity of Iasi to Ungheni in Moldova, was intended to provide the ex-Soviet countrywith access to natural gas from the common European market, as an alternative to Russian supplies, which come through Ukraine. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to disruptions in Russian gas deliveries to Europe and has underscoredthe European countries' need to diversify energy sources.
The Iasi-Unghenipipelinehasa total length of 43.2 kilometres, including 32.2 kilometres in Romania, and will carry 1.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year.
The city of Iasi is located in northeastern Romania, while Moldova's Ungheni is situated near the border between the two countries.
Source: SeeNews