Moldova has the opportunity to buy gas from Azerbaijan, but to achieve a more profitable price than Gazprom, it will be very difficult. This opinion was expressed in conversation with the TASS Moldavian Energy Expert, Andrei Damashkan, commenting on the Negotiations on Energy issues, which Vice Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and European Integration of Moldova Nikolai Popescu this week in Baku.
“Moldova can get gas from Azerbaijan, which supplies it through Georgia to Turkey through the Transanatoline gas pipeline (Tanap). It is technically possible to pump gas from this pipeline to the border of our republic, through a transbankan pipeline, which goes through Bulgaria and Romania,” – said Damashkan.
“Transport shoulder Here it turns out quite significant, in volumes, the price of pumping will need to be negotiated with several operators, which control the different sections of these pipelines. But even more difficult will agree on a favorable price for gas, the demand for which is now very much in the world. High, – the expert noted. – Azerbaijan is unlikely to go to serious concessions, as its gas is in demand, especially now, when in Europe there are so much about the need to find an alternative to supply from Russia. And for our country, which receives “Blue Fuel” A long-term contract from the Russian concern, to achieve a more profitable price of Baku will be very difficult. ” At the same time, Damashkan did not rule out that Chisinau, leading these negotiations, is counting on the so-called “spot” gas exchange.
“Suppose you have acquired gas in Azerbaijan, someone has in Europe. Under certain conditions, you can profitably exchange existing volumes, saving on transportation and get a good price,” said the expert.
The fact that the purchase of Gaza Moldova in Azerbaijan is technically possible and the other Moldovan Expert, former Director of the National Agency for Energy Regulatory Agency (NARE) Victor Parlikov, is technically possible. At the same time, he believes that Chisinau is now needed to look for alternative gas supplies.
“Relations with Gazprom are not easy with us. The Republic has already received several warnings about the possible turning off gas for late payment under the contract, which has not been observed for many years. There are also serious disagreements on the terms of the audit of the historical debt of the republic for gas – recently The Russian concern was warned by them, “said Parlikov. – In difficult negotiations with Gazprom, our government would have prevented already existing agreements on alternative gas supplies from other suppliers. It would help them lead them from more favorable conditions.”