Moldova, Gazprom have yet to reach agreement on postponement of gas debt audit, to continue dialogue

CHISINAU. Aug 31 (Interfax) - The Moldovan government and Gazprom have not yet been able to reach an agreement on delaying the audit of Moldova's gas debt to the Russian company until March 31, 2023, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Moldova Andrei Spinu said.

"I inform you that Gazprom confirmed the volume of gas supplies in September and extended the deadline for the audit to October 1 (2022). In this regard, I said that it is not possible to conduct it before October 1 and insisted on a postponement until March 31, 2023. We will continue negotiations," Spinu wrote in his Telegram channel following online talks with Gazprom Chairman Alexei Miller.

On August 30, Gazprom disclosed that talks were ongoing between Miller and Spinu, but without any details. The Russian gas company insists that Moldova's debt for the gas consumed, excluding in Transdnistria, is over $700 million, of which about $300 million are fines and penalties. The Moldovan authorities claim they are ready to recognize the full amount of the debt only after an independent audit.

Last October, the parties agreed to an audit. However, the Moldovan government for a long time could not find an auditing company. In August, it became known that the Moldovan authorities concluded an audit contract with the Norwegian company Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma and the British Forensic Risk Alliance & Co. At that time, the Moldovan authorities said that the companies should perform the audit before January 30, 2023.