Moldovan premier invites Romanian counterpart to pipeline start

July 12, 2013

During an official visit to Romania on Tuesday, Moldovan premier invited his Romanian counterpart,, to attend Moldovan  on August 27. On that occasion, the two neighbouring countries are to start building a cross-border gas pipeline between cities, Romania, and , Moldova.

European Union (EU) commissioner for energy is also expected to attend the meeting. The Moldovan premier seeks support for EU visa facilitation for Moldovan citizens as well as economic and energy ties with the EU. Russian energy minister declared in September 2012 that the Russian Federation agrees to lower gas prices for Moldova only if the ex- republic denounces the  between the EU and eight non-EU countries including Moldova.

Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. The latest report on global corruption says Moldovan citizens report the second most widespread bribery of a European country. Moldovan politicians often accuse each other of being either under the influence of Russia &mdash; the ; or under the influence of Romania and the EU &mdash; the, the current government coalition. Russia maintains a motorized infantry battalion and some ammunition depots from the soviet era in Moldova's breakaway Transdnestr region; Russian vice-premier said earlier this year Russia would continue these until the status of the region is settled. This situation has persisted for some time; in the OSCE Summit Declaration of Istanbul of 1999, Russia was to pull its troops out of Transnistria by the end of 2002.

Moldova also hopes to sign the by the end of 2013.