CHISINAU, Jan 19Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilitsa announced that she would come up with an initiative to introduce a state of emergency in the energy sector due to the risk of cutting off gas supplies to the republic. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu noted that the country was faced with another stage of the energy crisis, gas was 450 dollars per thousand cubic meters, and in January rose to 646 dollars. «Gazprom» has officially warned that it will stop gas supplies to Moldova if it does not receive an advance payment by January 20. I will put forward a proposal to ask the parliament to declare a state of emergency in the field of energy, if my initiative is supported, then tomorrow I will go to parliament,» Gavrilitsa said. The prime minister hopes that her initiative will receive support both in the commission for emergency situations, as well as in parliament. Gavrilitsa said that she would be able to provide more details on the further actions of the authorities after holding meetings and approving an emergency plan to combat the crisis. Gazprom and Moldovagaz on October 29, after lengthy negotiations, extended the gas supply contract for a period of 5 years, starting from 1 november. «Gazprom» said that, taking into account the situation in Moldova, it was decided to sign the contract practically on the terms of the Moldovan side, but subject to timely 100% payment of current payments. In November, the republic had problems with the transfer of payments on time, a delay was needed. The Moldovan authorities approved amendments to the state budget to pay off the debt to Gazprom in the amount of $74 million for gas received in October and November, in December Moldovagaz was able to pay off on its own. However, Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov expressed concern that the non-payment crisis could repeat in the future. will not receive payment
