
The government is proposing a 60-day state of emergency as it predicts a recurrence of similar problems in February and March.
This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spinu at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. “We proposed to introduce a state of emergency for a period of 60 days, since we anticipate the possibility of similar problems with paying for gas and the risks of stopping its supplies in February-March, and it is important for us to have such a tool for taking urgent measures,” he said. The Deputy Prime Minister clarified that the provision in the contract on making advance payments for current gas consumption by the 20th day of each month was introduced back in 2011, but since then no one has demanded that it be observed in such an ultimatum form. “From 2011 to 2014, Moldovagaz accumulated a debt of $400 million, and then they never received such notifications. The contract refers to the right, the possibility of Gazprom to stop gas supplies in case of non-payment of the advance payment, but there is no clearly defined obligation,” Andrei Spinu said. He expressed regret that Gazprom was unable to meet the needs of the Moldovagaz company and the Moldovan authorities in order to provide 2-3 weeks to collect $25 million, which the company must pay by January 20. "Obviously, we see a change in attitude towards us, and this is regrettable," the Deputy Prime Minister said. // 19.01.2022- InfoMarket.