OREANDA-NEWS. December 30, 2013. The last round of the gas contract talks took place in Moscow, the press service of the economy ministry reports.

The resolution to prolong the above contracts was adopted at a sitting of the Administrative Board of Moldovagaz representatives of the Economy Ministry of Moldova took part in. On the evening of the same day leaders of Moldovagas signed the gas transit and supply contracts for 2014. The new prolongation means that in 2014 the gas price for Moldova will be calculated on the European formula including such variables as an average price Gazprom is selling gas to non-CIS states and oil products quotations.

Besides, there are chances that in 2014 Moldova will be paying for gas about USD 370 per 1,000 cu m, USD 10 down against this year, Vice-premier, Economy Minister of Moldova Valeriu Lazar said earlier. This is determined by European concerns having made Gazprom bring the gas price down. Let’s remind that the validity of the contracts expired in 2011 and have been prolonged several times.

The signing of new contracts was postponed due to some unsolved problems, such as protection to Russian investments while Moldova’s implementing requirements of the third energy package of the EU and the debt of consumers of Moldova for natural gas, which exceeded USD 5 billion, Transdniestria’s huge indebtedness included.