Gagauzia Bashkan [governor] Eugenia Gutul, Speaker of the Gagauzia Popular Assembly [regional legislature] Dmitry Constantinov and Mayor of Taraclia city Veaceslav Lupov are accusing the central Moldovan authorities of their desire to save the monopoly of Moldovagaz Company.

Eugenia Gutul stated at a news conference held at INFOTAG on Tuesday that, “Over the past years, we have heard that the Government’s most important task is to liberalize the gas market and diversify sources of supply.”

“Well, we found alternative suppliers. With our assistance, companies from Germany and Turkey entered into a contract to purchase gas from European markets and supply it to Moldova. Moldovan company Nordgaz Furnizare has committed to supply gas to end consumers in Gagauzia, Orhei and Taraclia. “Alas, our worst fears have come true: instead of helping this initiative, the PAS authorities are looking for every possible way to maintain the monopoly of Moldovagaz, a company that has never carried out an internal reorganization, as is demanded by the law,” Gutul stated.

She reminded President Maia Sandu of her election promise that if she wins, Moldovans will have cheap natural gas.

“But during your time in power, gas has only become much more expensive. Residents of Gagauzia should not suffer from your incompetence and inability to negotiate. Do not interfere with our work and solving people’s problems,” Eugenia Gutul urged.

According to the conference participants, Moldovagaz refuses to consider applications from individuals and legal entities to switch to the supplier (Nordgaz Furnizare). There are more than five thousand such applications now.

Veaceslav Lupov stated that, “Every official, receiving a mandate, must work for the good of the country and the people.”

“But in Moldova, the current authorities do not give whatever possibility to receive gas at a normal price. They create unbearable living conditions in the country. I have one request: If the current rulers do not know how to govern the country or how to solve the gas problem and ensure a normal well-being for people, let them just leave,” he said.

Earlier, the Governor announced that Nordgaz Furnizare had purchased 100 million cubic meters of gas, which it will supply to Gagauzia at 10 lei/cubic meter – against the background of the current tariff of 18.2 lei.