OREANDA-NEWS. November 15, 2013. As the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar noted at the press conference, the priority list of the first level includes the construction of 400 kV electricity line Balti - Suceava, proposed by Moldelectrica, which affects the interests of three countries - Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.

Two more projects are included in the priority list of the second level: the construction of transmission line Straseni- Ungheni - Iasi and the project proposed by Moldovagaz - construction of the underground natural gas storage facility in Cazaclia (Gagauzia). Valeriu Lazar also informed that the regional strategy of Energy Community and PECis projects were discussed at the ministerial council of the Energy Community, which took place on October 23 in Belgrade (Serbia). According to Lazar, 100 projects of member countries with total budget of 44.6 billion euro were presented for Energy Community consideration. All these projects are aimed at creation of a joint pan-European energy network.

Valeriu Lazar noted that the project list will be revised and supplemented every 2-3 years and will be evaluated in priority projects of interest for several Energy Community participants. According to Lazar, during the meeting of the inter-ministerial Board the parties have also considered the agenda for implementation of the European Directive on Energy Efficiency. Besides this, the participants have discussed the possibility of opening and integration of regional energy markets and considered investment projects of common interest. Lazar noted that one of the most important events of inter-ministerial meeting was the decision to extend a 10-year agreement on the establishment of Energy Community (2006).

"A working group of European Parliament, which by 2016 will present proposals on changing this agreement was created," - Lazar added. As it was informed before, the European Energy Community is Association of European and South- Eastern Europe states, which aims to create a united pan-European energy network. Alongside with the EU states, the Energy Community also includes the Balkan countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia as well as the UN Interim Administrative Mission in Kosovo. Moldova and Ukraine joined this organization in 2009.