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PM Ponta announced the extension of the non-repayable aid agreement for the Republic of Moldova
Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced on Thursday in Chisinau the extension of the non-repayable aid agreement for the Republic of Moldova.
Ponta discussed with his Moldovan counterpart Valeriu Strelet on the developments and the next phases for implementing energy interconnection projects agreed under the Inter-Government Memorandum signed in May.
The prime minister has informed Moldovan officials that Romania supports Chisinau's connection to Romania and Europe through energy projects.
"That [cross-border natural gas] pipeline commissioned last year, on August 27, and the high-voltage power lines will mean an essential thing for Moldova: for you not to depended on a single provider. When you have two variants ... I have seen that the gas price is already lower. If you have two variants for electricity, the price will be lower, too. To depend on a single provider means a reduction in energy independence and, implicitly, in the state one," said the Romanian Prime Minister.
He added that energy projects mean development, competitiveness and long-term security for Moldova.
Financing some projects in Moldova was another topic tackled by Ponta, who said Bucharest would allocate funds when it manages to save up.
"You must have stability and set up priorities and we will certainly support you (...) in the area of institutional reform, justice and tax reform. (...) In Romania and in Moldova there is more money than we think, the problem is that the money should be transparent, legal, taxed and thus you will have budget resources for what you need," added Victor Ponta.
Romanian Prime Minister's visit to Chisinau is taking place upon Prime Minister Strelet's invitation, on the occasion of Moldova's Independence Day. The visit's agenda include meetings with President Nicolae Timofti and with the Speaker of Parliament in Chisinau, Andrian Candu.
The Government approved on Wednesday the Understanding signed on May 21 with the Moldovan Government on implementing the necessary projects for interconnecting natural gas and electricity grids in the two states.