«Chisinau Gate», Republic of Moldova. File photoCHISINAU, Jan 31The Chisinau City Hall will prepare an appeal to the court to challenge the decision of the authorities to increase the gas tariff, since it is illegal, the mayor of Chisinau, Ion Ceban, said on Monday. 785 dollars per thousand cubic meters. It was also decided to raise the tariff for heating, a gigacalorie became more expensive by $22. Both decisions came into force retroactively from January 1, the opposition intends to challenge the ANRE decision in court.In Moldova, the gas tariff was increased by 30 percent «I think that it is necessary to immediately send a preliminary request to the ANRE to suspend the tariff, and also to sue the government and the commission for emergency situations, because they gave instructions to revise the tariff illegally,» — Cheban said at a meeting of city services. He said that it is necessary to file a complaint against ANRE for following illegal instructions, since this independent agency is not obliged to follow the orders of the authorities. Gazprom and Moldovagaz on October 29, after lengthy negotiations, extended the contract for the supply of gas for a period of 5 years starting November 1st. «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. In January, «Moldovagaz» again faced difficulties in repaying the payment to «Gazprom», the parliament introduced a state of emergency for 60 days. Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov expressed fears that the non-payment crisis could repeat itself in the future.
