U.S. and Moldova intend to develop cooperation in gas deliveries to Europe - statement

WASHINGTON. April 26 (Interfax) - The United States and Moldova discussed ways to enhance cooperation in promoting natural gas deliveries to Central Asia and Europe, the two countries' delegations said in a statement circulated by the U.S. Department of State following a U.S.-Moldova Strategic Dialogue meeting in Washington.

"Both sides discussed the 'vertical corridor' which will leverage existing gas infrastructure to deliver non-Russian supplies routed from terminals in the Eastern Mediterranean to Ukraine and Moldova, and eventually from Ukraine to Central Europe," the parties said in the statement.

Moldova purchased U.S. natural gas for the first time in April of this year, they said, underscoring that "future U.S. natural gas deliveries will enhance both Moldova's energy security and U.S.-Moldova bilateral trade relations."

The strategic partnership between the U.S. and Moldova has strengthened considerably following the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, they said.