Debt is a big issue in negotiating gas supply agreement, Filat

The problem concerning the signing of an agreement for Russian gas supplies to Moldova is complex, and involves not just pricing issues, but also the problem of the debt which has been mainly accumulated by the Transnistrian region, Vlad Filat told a press briefing after his return from Russia, Info-Prim Neo reports. Filat said that the Moldovan Government's objective is to have an agreement that provides high-standard gas supplies to Moldovan consumers at an acceptable price. “Russia has presented us its offers. Further negotiations will follow to reach a middle ground”, said Filat, adding that the agreement would cover not just gas supplies, but energy issues in general, including electricity. The Prime Minister dismissed reports appeared in Russian media that Russian officials made the signing of the agreement contingent on Moldova's withdrawal from EU energy schemes. “During our conversation there were no conditions put forward; it was an open discussion”, stated Vlad Filat. Discussions will continue at the Summit of CIS heads of government to take place in the Ukrainian resort of Yalta later this month. On a different subject, Filat announced that his Russian counterpart, Dmitri Medvedev, accepted to visit Moldova on his invitation. A date for Medvedev's visit should be determined soon.