OREANDA-NEWS. November 16, 2012. This was briefed by Vice-premier, Minister of Economy of Moldova Valeriu Lazar to Russian mass media. He expressed confidence that agreement between Moldova and EU in the energy area do not hamper cooperation with Russia, but on the contrary, deliveries of power to the Balkan states can be beneficial for Russia.

According to Valeriu Lazar, Russia’s joining the European energy market opens promising opportunities for Inter RAO UES, the Russian company owning the largest in the region Moldova Hydro Power Plant. There is outlook for Russian power producers for entering the Balkan market, which lacks power because of closures of atomic power stations in many EU states, the Economy Minister stressed.

Only one sixth of facilities of the Moldovan Power Plant are used and the pipe of the Gazprom is laid near the plant, Valeriu Lazar noted. He spoke for generating power for Balkans states on the basis of Russian gas, which would turn Moldova into a platform for the mutually beneficial cooperation between the parties. But Gazprom, which is facing troubles in some EU markets, does not share Moldova’s opinion on prospect of our country’s joining energy packages of the EU energy community, Valeriu Lazar remarked.

According to him, protection of investments made by Gazprom in Moldovagaz it holds the major shareholding in is guaranteed by the Constitution of Moldova and bilateral agreements. Nevertheless, as understanding concern of Gazprom, the party of Moldova has committed to implement the third energy package gradually so that to balance interests of Russia.