Moldova decides not to extend state of emergency due to energy situation

CHISINAU. Feb 13 (Interfax) - Moldova will not extend the state of emergency due to the situation in the country's energy sector, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said.

"Today, the 60-day state of emergency is ending and will not be extended for the time being. At this stage, the required conditions have been created for the Transdniestrian region to be supplied with natural gas without the need to extend the state of emergency. It was crucial in order to be able to buy gas and electricity while Russia stopped gas supplies to the Transdniestrian region," Recean wrote on social media on Thursday.

Recean also said that the Emergency Situations Commission decided at a meeting on Thursday to channel 1.2 billion lei (around 65 million euros) received from several partner countries to the compensation fund. This step will be taken so that Moldova will be able to cover the increase in heating tariffs.

"Citizens included in the compensation program will be given a monthly monetary aid of 500 to 1,400 lei [$25 to $75] during the heating season, including March," he said.

Furthermore, 30 million euros from the emergency humanitarian aid provided by the European Union will be transferred to the account of Energocom, which during this period purchased 20 million euros worth of gas for the Dniester left bank and 10 million euros worth of electricity for the right bank at its own expense.

The parliament's decision to impose a state of emergency for 60 days took effect on December 16, 2024, due to the challenging situation in the energy sector. The decision was taken at the government's request.

The state of economic emergency in Transdniestria was imposed for 30 days on December 11. It has already been extended twice and will remain in effect until March 10.