Vulnerability of Energy Security in Eastern Europe and Testing of Commitments regarding the 3rd Energy Package (The Case of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine)
Vulnerability of Energy Security in Eastern Europe and Testing of Commitments regarding the 3rd Energy Package (The Case of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine)

Author(s): Ion Muntean
Subject(s): Energy and Environmental Studies, Economic policy, International relations/trade
Published by: IDIS VIITORUL Institutul pentru Dezoltare şi Initiative Sociale
Keywords: energy-supply: energy security;
Summary/Abstract: The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are in a period of intense talks with Gazprom in order to obtain new gas procurement conditions that would be closer to the reality of natural gas markets. Chisinau authorities still fail, in the second quarter of 2012, to purchase natural gas from the Russian Federation at a lower price under a new contract even though it had to happen from January 1, 2012 once the contract signed in 2006 expired on December 31, 2011. As for Ukraine, the talks have the same purpose: reduce the purchase price but this can be done by signing an additional agreement to the contract signed with the Open Joint Stock Company Gazprom in 2009 for a period of 10 years. Although Ukraine committed itself under this contract to buy a constant amount of natural gas - 52 billion cubic meters per year, the new authorities in Kiev have another view of the contract in force and make efforts to reduce Russian gas consumption - a fact that tenses negotiations with Gazprom. Is this a negative signal about the energy security in Eastern Europe or are these the first consequences of Moldova and Ukraine’s commitments made to the EU regarding the third energy package?

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