The European Commission has agreed to Moldova’s assistance strategy to separate it from the supply of energy from the Russian Federation

The European Commission and Moldova have agreed on a 2-year comprehensive strategy for energy independence and stability of Moldova. This strategy has the goal – to separate Moldova from unreliable Russian energy supplies and to fully integrate it into the EU energy market, according to the European Commission website on February 4.

According to this strategy, the total support of Moldova by 2025 will be 250 million euros, of which 100 million euros will be provided by the EU by mid -April. In addition to this general support, for the population of the Transnistrian region of Moldova, under certain conditions, assistance of 60 million euros is offered.

It will also include a steady assistance fund to facilitate electricity bills for the most vulnerable households and will allow to compensate for a complete increase in electricity costs for social institutions, including kindergartens, schools and hospitals.

“In the long run, EU support will allow Moldova to improve its energy security through investment and reforms for energy transition and to ensure a complete rejection of the supply of Russian energy. The assistance package is a continuation of the work that the European Union and its partners are carried out to reduce the energy vulnerability of Moldova. Today, Moldova’s energy system provides electricity and heat supply without interruption, ”the message stated.

Read also: Sandu: Stop supplying gas, Russia wants to call a political crisis in Moldova

On February 1, Moldova began the purchase of natural gas for the Transnistrian region. According to the decision of the Emergency Commission (KNS), gas worth 20 million euros will be paid by the EU funds to resolve the energy crisis.

From January 1, the Russian Gazprom unilaterally stopped the supply of natural gas to the Transnistrian region. It happened after Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas in its territory.

Earlier, Tiraspol leader Vadim Krasnoselsky stated that Russia could restore gas supply to Transnistria. However, the exact date and route of deliveries were not named. Krasnosel also refused to clarify who would pay for gas transit.

Moldova President, May Sandu, stated on January 14 that the purpose of the “humanitarian crisis caused by the Kremlin” on the left bank of the Dniester is to incite the “political crisis” on the right bank and exacerbate the situation in the Republic of Moldova.