CHISINAU, October 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russian arms in Transdnestr, a self-proclaimed republic in Moldova, must be removed by December 31, 2005, Moldovan Prime Minister Vasily Tarlev said Thursday. At the same time, Tarlev pledged to soon resolve the issue of Moldova's natural gas debt with Russia.
The prime minister said the Russian government was prepared to settle the $120 million gas debt, "but through the Paris Club [of creditor nations]. We are working on this with international funds, and I think that in the near future, we will come to some kind of agreement."
Moldova is the only country of the Commonwealth of Independent States to pay $80 per 1,000 cu. m of Russian gas. "Despite talks to lower the price, Russia has not given its approval," he said.
"We are considering all options, including [gas supply] from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, but there is only one pipeline, which is owned by [Russian state-owned company] Gazprom, so receiving gas from Turkmenistan or Kazakhstan requires Russia's permission," Tarlev said.
Moldova will consider switching to an alternative fuel if a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached, the premier said.
The general director of a major fuel-run power station in Transdnestr, Sergei Syskov, said Thursday that as of next month, power supply to Moldova would be cut off if Moldovan energy networks did not agree to pay the new tariff of $0.048 per kilowatt hour, up from the current $0.035, a price that has caused the station losses since a gas price hike of 50% in May.
