The conflict situation between Ukraine and Russia’s gas giant Gazprom will not affect the supply of gas to Moldova, considers Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar. “At operational level, we fulfill the comments regarding the transportation of gas through Moldova and I’m sure that Ukraine fulfils them too. I don’t think a gas war will be started and the supply of gas will be halted,” the official told the press, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Valeriu Lazar said the situation of 2006, when the supply of gas was stopped, will not repeat. Ukraine and Russia are members of the World Trade Organization and the disputes are solved in a civilized way. In another development, when asked why the works on the Ungheni – Iasi gas pipe have not yet started, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the Romanian partners underwent certain institutional changes. The Ministry of Economy is no longer responsible for the gas pipe. The project was recently transmitted to an agency. “We made all the preparations for beginning the works. There were bought the plots through which the gas pipe will go. The people showed understanding. They were offered compensations from the budget. We earmarked 120 million lei for the construction. In February we may start buying materials and works. We hope that our partners from Romania will hasten the preparations so that we synchronize this process,” said Valeriu Lazar. The budget of the project to build the Ungeni-Iasi gas pipe is €20 million, €7 million of which will be offered by the European Commission through the Romania-Ukraine-Moldova Joint Operational Project.