A gaspipeline linking Romania to Moldova andaimedatreducingthe latter'sdependence onRussian gasis still not being used, twomonthsafter its launch, because the parties have so far failed toreachan agreement, Romania's largest natural gasproducer, state-controlled Romgaz,said on Tuesday.
Romgazis innegotiations withMoldova's gas monopolyMoldovagaz on potentialgas deliveries, but the talks have not been finalised, the media relations department of Romgaz told SeeNews.
"Negotiations between Romgaz and the Moldovan party are underway," the department said in an emailed response to a SeeNews enquiry,without providing further details.
At the official opening of the gas interconnector, on August 27, Moldova's prime minister Iurie Leanca said gas deliveries were expected to start from September 1.
The gas pipeline, which links the Romaniancity of Iasi to Ungheni in Moldova, was intended toprovide the country, formerly part of the Soviet Union, with 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 need for European countries 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.
Moldovagazis 50%-owned by Russian giant Gazprom, which is currently the 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.