- Sputnik International
Russia
The latest news and stories from Russia. Stay tuned for updates and breaking news on defense, politics, economy and more.

Moldova, Russia agree natural gas price 06Q1

Subscribe

MOSCOW/CHISINAU, January 17 (RIA Novosti) - Moldova and Russia have agreed the price of $110 per 1,000 cubic meters for Russia's natural gas in the first quarter of 2006, the Russian energy giant said.

Confirmation of the deal ending long talks with former Soviet republic came from Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov. "Gazprom and Moldovagaz have signed a contract on natural gas transit and deliveries to the Moldovan Republic," he said.

According to Kupriyanov, Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller and Moldovan First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Greciani came to the agreement at the Russian company's central office late on Monday evening.

"The sides found mutually acceptable solutions to all the major cooperation issues in the gas sector," Kupriyanov said. "In the first quarter of this year, Russian gas will be provided to Moldova at the price of $110 per 1,000 cu m."

Initially, Gazprom had sought to double the rate Moldova paid from the previous $80 per 1,000 cu m.

Kupriyanov also said that Miller and Greciani had agreed on further operations of the Russian-Moldovan joint venture, Moldovagaz, on a possible increase in Russia's share in Moldova's gas pipeline system, and also on preserving its structural integrity.

He said the pricing policy would be further coordinated with due consideration of these agreements.

According to Gazprom, Moldovan consumers received 2.45 billion cu m of gas in 2005.

Their debt for previous years, without interest, totals about $780 million, including $560 million for the self-proclaimed Transdnestr Republic on Moldovan territory.

The Moldovan presidential administration described the Moscow talks as "productive."

A spokesman for President Vladimir Voronin quoted him as saying that the agreement was "not only a triumph of pragmatism and true market instruments, but of transparency as well."

Voronin also said it was crucial to preserve direct contract relations with Gazprom. "We believe it is correct to buy gas from producers alone," Voronin said.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала