The United States has welcomed the opening of Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline between Romania and Moldova, noting that the pipeline enables Moldova to get gas directly from the EU and international markets for the first time.
"The United States congratulates the people of Moldova and Romania and the European Union on the inauguration of the last Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline," US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday.
Psaki noted that the new 43-kilometer pipeline will bring" the first benefits of energy supply diversification to Moldova, including access to Europe's competitive energy market and increased energy security."
"The United States is also committed to helping Moldova achieve these goals through programs that improve the regulatory environment and reduce energy consumption," she added.
The Iasi-Ungheni pipeline is the first stage of the project that will allow Moldova to get gas directly from the EU and international markets.
With the construction of a compressor station in Romania and a 130 kilometers long gas pipeline between Ungheni and Chisinau, gas can be transported to the Chisinau region, the biggest gas consumer in Moldova. Once completed, the entire infrastructure project can cover more than half of Moldavian gas demand.
The European Commission has supported the construction of the Iasi-Ungheni pipeline with EUR7 million and has made available EUR10 million to extend the pipeline from Ungheni to Chisinau from the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument.
Gas covers more than 60 per cent of Moldavian primary energy demand, and Moldova is currently fully dependent on imported natural gas from Russia. Moldova is a member of the Energy Community and has recently signed and ratified an Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.
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