Transnistria gas crisis: Chișinău urges market rule adoption
Russia's reduction of natural gas supplies to the Transnistrian region underscores the absence of energy prevention mechanisms and the disregard for market rules on the Dniester's left bank.
These issues were highlighted by Constantin Borosan, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Energy, during the "Pe față" program.
According to the official, Chișinău authorities anticipated such risks and implemented legislative amendments requiring gas suppliers, including those operating in the Transnistrian region, to maintain reserve stocks.
"To prevent crisis situations, we've introduced legislative changes stipulating that any entity supplying gas to the region must maintain stocks, just as we do. This mechanism provides crucial reaction time for unpredictable scenarios," Borosan explained.
He added that, during OSCE-facilitated meetings, Chișinău has repeatedly urged Transnistrian authorities to apply Moldova's legislation in accordance with European standards and become a full participant in the energy market.
"Gas consumers in the region lack control over payments, which is why we proposed a set of alternative mechanisms as early as the end of last year. I recall, for instance, the period of February 13–14, 2025, when Tirasptransgaz acquired natural gas from the Romanian Commodities Exchange. It was a workable solution, but one that could have been implemented sooner," the Secretary of State added.
In turn, Alexandr Slusari, a board member of SA "Energocom," confirmed that Russia abruptly cut gas supplies to Transnistria. Consequently, businesses in the region were forced to implement technical unemployment for their staff until the end of the week. Security expert Andrei Curăraru suggests this move might be intended to destabilize Moldova ahead of the autumn parliamentary elections.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
