The price of natural gas for end-users may remain uncharged in the third quarter of this year, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Under the agreement signed with Gazprom, which expires at the end of this year, the Russian company sets new prices for the gas supplied to Moldova every quarter. The calculation formula is stipulated in the agreement. The price modifications depend mainly on the trends in the international oil markets. “The price of oil products increased repeatedly and Gazprom can announce a higher selling price of gas for the third quarter. But the tariffs for end-users may remain at the same level as the current charges were calculated at an exchange rate of 12.4 lei per dollar. The leu has appreciated and the rate is now about 11.5 lei per dollar,” Valeriu Lazar explained. “It will be the National Agency for Energy Regulation that will decide whether the prices will rise or not. I consider they can be maintained at the current level,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. The negotiations on a new agreement for the supply of gas may open in June. The Ministry of Economy sent a letter to Moscow, asking Gazprom to decide when the talks may start. The Ministry already formulated the mandate for these negotiations. A related document was sent to ministries, other governmental institutions and the relevant public authorities for approval. “The agreement will be negotiated by SA Moldovagaz, but the state, as a major shareholder in this company, cannot remain indifferent,” said Valeriu Lazar. The selling price of gas for Moldova in the second quarter of this year is US$316 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas. The average tariff for end-users is 45,99l lei per 1,000 cubic meters of gas.