Moldovan govt to consider Moldovagaz request about payment to Gazprom by end of Aug

CHISINAU. Aug 25 (Interfax) - The Moldovan government will consider Moldovagaz's request about an overdue advance payment for gas supplies to Gazprom by the end of this month, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said at a briefing on Wednesday.

The government will analyze the appeal and consider what to do, she said.

It was reported earlier that Gazprom granted Moldovagaz a deferral on an advance payment for natural gas supplies for August until September 1, 2022. The payment was supposed to be made on August 20.

Moldovagaz appealed to the National Commission for Emergency Situations to consider options regarding payment for gas supplies in August and September.

The government has already helped Moldovagaz make current payments to Gazprom. In November 2021, the government transferred $74 million to the company by buying out part of the debt to Moldovagaz of state company Termoelectrica, a heat and power supplier in Chisinau. In January 2022, the government paid a portion of due compensation in advance and granted a deferral on value-added tax so Moldovagaz could cover a cash shortfall in the amount of $25 million.

Under its gas contract, by the 20th of each month Moldovagaz is supposed to fully pay for gas used in the previous month and pay for 50% of the contracted amount of gas for the current month.