Moldova should make use of every opportunity the membership in the European Energy Community (EEC) has to offer in order to diversify its sources of energy and reduce reliance on gas. The recommendation has been formulated by Alexandru Baltag, associate expert with the Foreign Policy Association (FPA), in a study examining the impact of Moldova's accession to the EEC on its energy sector, Info-Prim Neo reports. Alexandru Baltag stated at the latest meeting of the FPA Press Club on Tuesday that Moldova should regain control over its own energy industry, which is a strategic sector for any country. According to the expert, the reasons for which Moldova acceded to the EEC are directly related to national energy security, as it involves interconnection with Europe's power grids and a diversification of energy sources, which would be a viable solution to lessening the exclusive dependence on the East. The advantages of an energy market without borders between EEC members include the opportunity of developing common connections with gas resources from the Caspian region, North Africa and Middle East and diversifying partners, said the expert. According to Alexandru Baltag, participation in the EEC implies certain commitments that include the implementation of the Third Energy Package, which would entail a change of rules in the “energy game”. The expert noted a number of difficulties related to the implementation of the Package. Financial problems would appear with the implementation of the demonopolization and liberalization principles, when Moldova will have to compensate Gazprom for its investments. The geopolitical dimension of the problem is that Gazprom will be highly unlikely to make concessions as regards Russia's geoeconomic strategy in the region. FPA executive director Victor Chirila stated that the Government should try to diminish political influence on the energy sector, and the Third Energy Package is exactly the instrument that can give a much greater margin for maneuver in relations with Russia and lessen the political nature of Moldova's energy dependence. However, Victor Chirila thinks that the recent request by Prime Minister Vlad Filat to postpone implementation of the Third Energy Package is welcome. Moldova has signed the protocol to accede to the EEC on 17 March 2010. Moldova relies exclusively on Russia for gas, which is also used to produce electricity.