EU says Russia using natural gas as political weapon against Moldova

BRUSSELS

Russia uses natural gas as a political weapon against Moldova, the EU’s foreign policy chief said Thursday.

"In global terms, the price increases around the world are not a consequence of weaponization of the gas supply, but in the case of Moldova, yes it is," Josep Borrell said at a joint news conference alongside Moldova's Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita in Brussels.

Noting that Moscow exerts political pressure on Russian energy company, Gazprom, on natural gas prices, Borrell said Moldova and the EU have agreed to strengthen the resistance against the use of energy as a "political weapon.”

“Gas is a commodity, it’s being bought and sold, sold and bought, but it cannot be used as a geopolitical weapon,” he said.

He said the EU is ready to support Moldova to find a way out of the crisis.

Crisis between Moldova, Gazprom

An agreement has not yet been reached between Moldova and Gazprom on the extension of a natural gas contract, which expired Sept. 30.

The current agreement has been extended for one month, with Moldova buying 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas at $790 in October. In September, the same amount was purchased for $550.

The Moldovan Parliament approved the declaration of a state of emergency on Oct. 22 due to the natural gas shortage in the country.

Besides Gazprom, the administration in Moldova is negotiating with Romania, Ukraine and other countries on natural gas imports.

The Kremlin on Wednesday denied Gazprom was using gas talks with Chisinau to extract political concessions.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar