Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak says Moscow could sell natural gas to Moldova at a lower price if Chisinau denounces its protocol on entering the European Union energy community*.
Novak said Moldova was asking for a 30 percent reduction in the price it pays for Russian gas, which Novak said was $392 per 1,000 cubic meters.
But Novak said as long as Moldova planned to be part of the EU energy community, the price Moldova paid would be based "on the same formula as for other European consumers."
Russia is also demanding Moldova pay its $4.1 billion debt to Russian gas giant Gazprom.
The demand comes after the EU started an antitrust investigation of Gazprom for possibly overcharging European consumers.
*CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to quote Minister Novak referring to the "Europe energy community agreement," not an energy charter treaty.
Novak said Moldova was asking for a 30 percent reduction in the price it pays for Russian gas, which Novak said was $392 per 1,000 cubic meters.
But Novak said as long as Moldova planned to be part of the EU energy community, the price Moldova paid would be based "on the same formula as for other European consumers."
Russia is also demanding Moldova pay its $4.1 billion debt to Russian gas giant Gazprom.
The demand comes after the EU started an antitrust investigation of Gazprom for possibly overcharging European consumers.
*CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to quote Minister Novak referring to the "Europe energy community agreement," not an energy charter treaty.
