Moldovagaz, Gazprom to discuss possibility of changing arrangement for gas payments on Fri

CHISINAU. May 26 (Interfax) - Representatives of Moldovagaz and Gazprom will hold talks on Friday at which the possibility of reviewing the terms for the payment of gas will be discussed among other things, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Andrei Spinu told journalists on Thursday.

"A meeting of representatives of Moldovagaz and Gazprom will take place on Friday regarding natural gas supplies to Moldova. The Russian company has not yet given Chisinau answers to questions that exist on the contract for gas supplies," Spinu said.

Spinu said that he has also addressed Gazprom multiple times, but has not received an answer.

"In this situation, the government is trying to identify several sources for gas supplies and the creation of reserves. Talks with Gazprom need to continue. We're trying to discern whether it's possible to review the terms of payment, because the problems in this contract have been connected to the terms of payment. For us, the government's position consists in diversification. If that's the contract with Gazprom and it's advantageous - okay, we'll continue. If we can find favorable prices or prices close to the contract from Gazprom, we ought to, of course, conclude such contracts, at least for the sake of forming state reserves," Spinu said.