The EU’s top diplomat on Thursday (October 28) denounced the Kremlin for trying to impose a new natural gas transaction on Moldova, saying that commodities such as natural gas should not be used as a geopolitical weapon.
this Financial Times Report Citing sources on Tuesday, Gazprom offered Moldova a cheaper deal in exchange for adjusting its free trade agreement with the European Union and delaying the liberalization of the energy market promoted by Brussels.
Moldova has announced its intention to join the European Union and signed an alliance agreement with Brussels in 2014 to deepen relations with the European Union.
The Kremlin denied the allegations on Wednesday, and its chief spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “There are no political moments here, and there can’t be any political moments. These are purely commercial negotiations,” according to the report. Reuters.
However, the EU’s senior representative Josep Borrell stated that after the EU’s meeting with Moldova, “we saw Gazprom’s attempts to exert political pressure in return. [for offering] To lower the price of natural gas”.
The senior EU diplomat stated that the pro-EU Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița of Brussels and Moldova agreed to increase Chisinau’s ability to “defend any potential efforts by third parties to use energy as a geopolitical weapon” .
“Natural gas is a commodity that can be bought and sold, but it cannot be used as a geopolitical weapon,” Borrell added.
Borel described the 60-euro check announced by the European Commission on Wednesday as a “first step” in support. The gap between high prices provides funding.”
Borrell cited Moldova’s purchase of natural gas from Poland earlier this week as a good example. This is the first time since the independence of the former Soviet Union. He said the European Union will help its eastern neighbors to diversify their supply.
At the same time, while condemning the Kremlin’s request, Gavrilissa reiterated her government’s intention to uphold its “European aspirations and our determination to respect and abide by our commitments.”
“This is not just a statement. This is a clear political mandate given to our government after the early elections,” added the politician, who was elected on a pro-European platform.
Philip Medunik, a think tank expert at the European Commission on Foreign Relations, said the EU should avoid accusations “There are many reasons behind Russia’s natural gas tightening in the alliance, and this is also related to Europe’s decision.”
“But the fact is that Moscow is seizing any opportunity that is now open to fight back against the European Union. Moldova, These actions are very clear and effectively demand that the country or the EU “pay the price” for its closer integration with the EU,” he told EURACTIV.
Calling for an agreement between the European Union and Moscow to treat energy negotiations as part of a broader geopolitical approach, Medunnik warned, “although [Gazprom’s] Contractual obligations are fulfilled, and any further actions are always linked to broader political goals. “
He called the 60-euro grant a “good sign” and “it is nowhere near the amount needed to offset any increase in the price of Gazprom.”
“At the risk of a geopolitical crisis Moldova It won’t be very smart, but the EU should be prepared to step in if necessary and go all the way. Only in this way can its policies be credible and will not cause greater losses to society. Moldova people. After all, Moldovans will decide after the fact whether to continue to support their country’s current route,” he added.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
