Moldova declares state of emergency over energy crisis amid negotiations with Gazprom

Moldova’s energy crisis has prompted parliament to approve the introduction of a state of emergency, the state news agency Moldpres reported on Friday, October 22. 

Addressing lawmakers on Friday, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița explained that the state of emergency is a “technical solution” that will allow for the purchase of “the required volume of gas from alternative sources.”

Moldova and Gazprom have been unable to reach a new agreement on the supply of Russian gas to the republic. As a result, less than a third of required gas volumes were imported from Russia in October, Moldova’s prime minister said.

Moldova’s contract with Gazprom officially expired in September, but was extended until the end of October to allow for further negotiations. Until the end of the month, Moldova will continue to import Russian gas at a market price of around $790 per thousand cubic meters. 

The Moldovan authorities hope to negotiate a lower price of around $200–$300 per thousand cubic meters. In exchange, Chișinău has offered to discuss the repayment of historical debts, as well as to postpone the implementation of the provisions of the EU’s Third Energy Package, which will affect Gazprom’s investments in Moldova, the Russian state news agency TASS reported.

Moldova’s state of emergency will remain in place for 30 days. Local elections scheduled for November 21 will go ahead as planned, thanks to a corresponding amendment to the state of emergency adopted by lawmakers on Friday.