CHISINAU. Nov 2 (Interfax) - Moldovagaz CEO Vadim Ceban believes that the Transdniestrian debt for Russian gas could be considered only in the context of a political settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict.
"The debt of the eastern bank of the Dniester River should be considered in the general context of the Transdniestrian settlement policy. It should be recognized that this issue needs to be discussed and monitored, but it can be solved only in the context of a political settlement of the conflict," Ceban told the TV8 channel on Tuesday.
"Moldovagaz is displeased by the situation and has even appealed to court in connection with the Transdniestrian debt accumulated in 2011-2020. We have won those lawsuits. However, the fact that court orders can't be enforced on the left bank [of the Dniester] sends us back to politics. It is also necessary to remember about Moldova's dependence on the Kuchurgan power station on the left bank of the Dniester; we cannot break off these relations in a snap. We cannot forget either that Tiraspoltransgaz is a minority shareholder of Moldovagaz," Ceban said.
Ceban confirmed that the Transdniestrian gas debt, which currently nears $7.5 billion, was not discussed at Moldova's talks with Gazprom last week.
"We discussed Moldova's 'historical debt' and agreed to discuss the issue again after Moldova carries out an audit. We are due to sign a protocol on settling the 'historical debt' and to agree on a procedure for its payment by May 1, 2022. As to current payments, they are timely made by Moldovagaz," Ceban said.