Maia Sandu about another 60 million euros promised to the Transnistrian region by the EU: If Tiraspol does not meet the conditions, it will have to look for other solutions
President Maia Sandu confirmed on Thursday evening on a TV channel in Chisinau that Tiraspol has not given a response regarding the conditions put forward by the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Moldova for the continuation of financial aid in overcoming the energy crisis, after the end of the 10-day period in which the humanitarian funding worth 20 million euros is exhausted. The head of state mentioned that the European Union has prepared another 60 million euros as support during the heating season, but their allocation is conditional.
"*It is natural to help the people on the left bank after they had no heat for almost a month and were temporarily disconnected from electricity," said President Maia Sandu, adding that "*The European Union made a promise of 60 million euros for the left bank, in addition to the 20 million that will soon be consumed if the left bank, Tiraspol, fulfills certain conditions.".
The head of state referred to two of the conditions put forward. The first concerns the gradual increase in tariffs for natural gas and electricity in the region, and the second concerns the release of political prisoners.
"*Now we cannot expect that these people who have not paid so far, or have paid some symbolic prices, can switch overnight or in a week from a symbolic price to the market price. But a gradual increase is the common condition of the European Union and the Government. Let's see if it will be accepted," said Maia Sandu.
The head of state added that "neither in two months, nor by the end of the year will the tariffs on the left bank reach the level of those applied on the right bank of the Nistru, because the people of the Transnistrian region have even lower incomes, and some of them now do not even have jobs because the enterprises that operated on free or cheap gas and electricity have closed*.” Maia Sandu said that the tariffs are to be increased gradually, based on an agreed schedule, without providing concrete figures and data.
“If they meet these conditions, it is clear that the money will come from the European Union. This money is planned until the end of the heating season. If they do not accept the conditions, then they have to find a way to bring Russian gas or gas bought with Russian money, but through a formula that does not violate international sanctions and, respectively, the legislation of the Republic of Moldova," said the head of state .
Regarding possible long-term support granted to the Transnistrian region, with the involvement of the Republic of Moldova's development partners, Maia Sandu said that it could be hundreds of millions of euros annually, but this aid could only be offered if the Russian army leaves the territory on the left bank of the Nistru.
We remind you that, four days after the announcement of the European support package worth 60 million euros, Tiraspol remains silent. The Bureau for Reintegration Policies claims that the alleged administration on the left bank of the Nistru received letters from Chisinau regarding the assistance offered by the European Union to overcome the energy crisis, as well as the list of implementation conditions, but has not received any response. However, the authorities are optimistic and hope that Tiraspol will eventually accept the conditions imposed by the Europeans.
