Moldova promises to pay for Russian gas on Nov 26
Russia's Gazprom has said it will give Moldova an extra two days until November 26 to pay its gas bill, after previously threatening to cut supplies to the country unless payment arrived by November 24.
The two sides entered into a new long-term supply contract at the start of this month, with Gazprom insisting that Moldova should pay for all supplies on time and take steps to settle its past debts, estimated to exceed $700mn.
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On November 24, however, Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov said the company had agreed to make an exception and allow Moldova to settle its bill on November 26.
"The Moldovan government has asked Gazprom not to stop gas supplies from today," Kupriyanov said. "At the same time, the Moldovan side fully recognises the legitimacy of Gazprom's actions and commits to fully make current payments on Friday, November 26."
The representative said the Russian supplier was showing goodwill and understood the economic difficulties that Moldova is facing. But he added that contractual obligations should be fully met in future, with all payments on time.
Moldovan prime minister Natalia Gavrilitsa has sent a request to parliament to urgently consider amendments to the state budget law for 2021, in order to allocate funds for the supplies, the parliament's press service said on November 24.