Moldova is committed to promote a competitive and sustainable energy sector, integrated into the European energy markets, thus ensuring energy security and affordability for consumers. The energy efficiency first principle will be applied throughout the economy, and harnessing the renewable energy will fuel economic growth and increase the impact of efforts to reduce climate change, Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov stated at the eighth meeting of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council held in Brussels, IPN reports.
On the sidelines of the meeting, an exchange of views was organized on the cooperation between Moldova and the European Union in foreign and security policy and on the strengthening of economic and sectoral cooperation, with emphasis on energy and trade. The minister mentioned the support provided by the European partners in the process of synchronizing the national energy system with the continental one, ENTSO-E, which will enable Moldova to integrate into the European energy market and bring home lasting investments and opportunities for economic growth.
Victor Parlicov said that “Moldova will contribute to strengthening regional energy security, but also to the integration of energy markets, through active involvement in the gas corridor from the North to the South and by building new 400 kV interconnections with Romania and, therefore, with the EU”. According to the minister, the energy priorities are related to promoting energy efficiency, increasing cross-border electricity and gas interconnection capacities, diversifying energy supply sources and realizing the potential of renewable energy generated locally.
With respect to the expiration of the Russia-Ukraine gas transit deal, Victor Parlicov stressed the need to maintain stability in the Transnistrian region. He said that the right bank will not obstruct the supply of gas from Gazprom to the left bank of the Nistru even after the expiration of the transit contract. But if gas cannot be transported from the East on the traditional route, it will be necessary to find an alternative route, such as the vertical corridor, which Moldova has recently joined.
The meeting of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council in Brussels was the first after the European Council took the decision to open accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova. The event was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
