Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta and European Commissioner for Energy Guenther Oettinger today participated in a ceremony of inauguration of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline in the Zagarancea village, western Ungheni district. Attending the event were also ministers, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Chisinau, local public authorities and residents.

“Starting from 1 September, Romanian gas will cross the Prut river, in the first quantity, thus, providing a source of alternative. In a year and a half, up to two years, we will have a perfect system and will be able to buy gas from East or West- where there will be better conditions. Today, in Romania, the energy is cheaper by about 40 per cent. I am confident that in two years, we will have an electricity interconnection. These projects are in the interest of Moldova and consumers. The today’s event is fitted into our goal of European integration”, Leanca said.

For his part, Ponta pointed out “I would like to mention that together we are stronger, we can do good things for people to live a better life. I think that by the today’s inauguration, we convey a message for everyone and I want to be friends with everybody, and the message should be clear, Moldova and Romania need energy to be really independent. Together we can be really independent and can be respected for this and this is the message we give to Europe and everybody. Otherwise, I want to say that for Romania is nothing more important than to be with us in Europe”.

In the context, Günther Oettinger said “this project is for people, citizens and for economic side and those operating in industry. At the same time, I want to say that we want to ensure a better life, better roads, and all this means a better life. Moldova’s integration into our energy infrastructure is very important, namely, ensuring the connection in terms of energy between Moldova and Romania. We will continue with other steps, we will extend in electric energy and gas sectors. We will ensure modernizing the networks to ensure the highest level of independence in energy”.

The Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline is a project on interconnection of natural gas transmission systems between Moldova and Romania. The project is amounted to 26 million euros, among which 7 million represent a grant from the EU.

The project’s goal is to ensure a high level of energy security of Moldova and northern Romania by diversifying sources of gas supply.

The next stage of the project includes construction of Ungheni-Chisinau pipeline in Moldova and Onesti-Letcani gas pipeline with the gas compression station in Romania.