Moldovan deputy PM for reintegration says interruption of gas deliveries to Transnistrian region would not be simply crisis, but humanitarian catastrophe

Chisinau, 26 November /MOLDPRES/ - The interruption of the deliveries of gas to the Transnistrian region would not be simply a crisis, but, I dare to say, actually a humanitarian catastrophe. Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian today made statements to this effect at the public TV station, referring to the discussions with the Gazprom giant on the deliveries of natural gas to Moldova (in the Transnistrian region), based on the present contract following 1 January 2025, especially if the transit across Ukraine is interrupted.  

„It is not only about the Transnistrian region; it is about settlements from the perimeter controlled by Chisinau, which would be hit by such a scenario. About 30,000 residents consumers also from the right bank of Dniester are connected to that gas distribution framework – Varnita, Copanca, practically the entire Dubasari district. Yet, beyond this, it is about the people who live in the Transnistrian region, mostly citizens of Moldova. Naturally, such a situation of interruption of the gas deliveries would not be simply a crisis; I dare to say that, it would actually be a humanitarian catastrophe.  This because it would lead to a collapse of the economic system of delivery of electric energy; tens of thousands of families would be affected on the left bank of Dniester, as well as on the right bank,’’ Serebrian said.     

According to the official, this is a thing which any state is obliged to avoid. ‘’Even if two citizens were victims of a terror attack, the state must negotiate to save them, even if these negotiations are undesired. Or, here we talk about hundreds of thousands of citizens, about the well-being and stability of the people on both banks of Dniester,’’ Oleg Serebrian also said.     

The deputy PM also commented on the discussions in the public space on the visit by the energy minister to Russia.

„I noticed these discussions in the public space, concerning the trip by Energy Minister Victor Parlicov to Moscow, which was a predictable thing. We cannot say that something completely unexpected happened. A lot of people discuss with the Gazprom giant, including from the European Union; this is not such a spectacular thing as some people claim it to be. These are just discussions with an economic agent for the benefit of Moldova,’’ the deputy prime minister for reintegration noted.     

Referring to other scenarios on the delivery of gas to the Transnistrian region, Serebrian said that the Energy Ministry, colleagues from various agencies which are related to the energy sector had taken into account various scenarios.   

„Some of them are pretty costly and problematic. For us, it is important that the gas reaches the consumers, both to the Transnistrian region and the settlements from the right bank of Dniester, at an accessible price, which would not disturb the daily life. Otherwise, the scenarios which appear are not quite fit, in a pretty volatile context from the political and security viewpoints.  All of us want social and economic stability for the citizens. This is what our foreign partners want as well, who are guiding us to calmly analyze the situation.  Let us imagine the taking place of a collapse with a real ceasing of gas supply, or Chisinau must take care also of its citizens from the Transnistrian region. We are already subjected to an extraordinary economic pressure; the social situation has been affected during years after the unleashing of the Russian aggression from 2022, which led to the disturbance of the entire system of economic relations. Any government is obliged to analyze such scenarios thoroughly and prudently. I reiterate that nothing extraordinarily happened. It is about natural negotiations in such circumstances. We expect to see the results of these discussions. On 27 November, Minister Parlicov will give a news conference, during which he will come up with the explanations needed,’’ Oleg Serebrian said.      

Energy Minister Victor Parlicov had a working meeting with Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller on 25 November. The sides discussed the deliveries of natural gas to Moldova (to Transnistrian region), based on the present contract after 1 January 2025, especially if the transit across Ukraine is interrupted.