Transdniestrian leader 'cautiously optimistic' about resuming gas supplies to his region

TIRASPOL. Jan 21 (Interfax) - Head of the unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic Vadim Krasnoselsky has been "cautiously optimistic" regarding the resumption of gas supplies to the region.

"There is a very cautious optimism that the parties will be able to reach an agreement and Moldovagaz will resume gas supplies to Transdniestria," the Transdniestrian leader was quoted by his press service as saying on Tuesday. Krasnoselsky hosted an online meeting with a number of foreign diplomats accredited in Chisinau. The conversation was attended by representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vitaly Tryapitsyn.

Krasnoselsky urged the participants in the conversation "not to be an advocate for either side, but to act as an impartial arbiter and contribute by virtue of their authority to overcoming the crisis, in particular, to the resumption of gas supply to Transdniestria via the Moldovagaz company."

Krasnoselsky earlier said that Tiraspol was prepared to buy gas via the Moldovagaz company. "Transdniestria is ready for gas to be delivered through Moldovagaz. Tiraspoltransgaz wrote a letter to Moldovagaz back on Saturday and guaranteed payment for gas. Now you have to keep your promise," Krasnoselsky said.

He recalled Moldovan President Maia Sandu's intention to let gas to Transdniestria only under these conditions.

Sandu later said that the competent Moldovan authorities were exploring the possibility of supplying gas to Transdniestria through the Moldovagaz company. Commenting on Krasnoselsky's statements that the left bank is ready to buy gas through Moldovagaz, she said that for this Moldovagaz should buy gas on the market and deliver it to the Transdniestrian region, while the Tiraspoltransgaz company should pay for the gas and its transportation. Sandu said that the government would be studying the future supply route and the composition of the participating companies and will present the details of its decision soon.

Gazprom stopped supplying gas to Transdniestria on January 1. Gazprom justified its decision by Moldovagaz's failure to fulfill its contractual obligations and unpaid $709 million debt. Chisinau accused Moscow of "energy blackmail" in order to destabilize Moldova.