RSS
Presidents of Romania and Republic of Moldova wish acceleration of joint energy projects
President Traian Basescu and his counterpart from the Republic of Moldova, Nicolae Timofti, decided during the meeting on Thursday, in Bucharest, to accelerate the development of energy projects already established, including Iasi-Ungheni (north-east country) gas pipeline.
'We had discussions on how we can contribute to the binding of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union, via Romania, as the border country for the Republic of Moldova, and we decided together to accelerate the development of the already established projects, among which Iasi - Ungheni gas pipeline, Falciu, Gotesti and Suceava Balti power lines, installation of optical fiber between Isaccea and Chisinau, Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau railway upgrading, building bridges over the Prut and many other projects. Extremely important is that the gas pipeline to link the gas system of Romania to that of the Republic of Moldova is partially funded by the EU, going that the two countries will bring their own contribution to the project ', Traian Basescu said in a joint statement with Nicolae Timofti, held at Cotroceni Palace.
Basescu was keen to thank Timofti for his first bilateral visit paid to Bucharest, in the footsteps of the one to Brussels. He stressed that, during the talks with his Republic of Moldova counterpart, issues related to the strategic partnership between Romania and the Republic of Moldova and its EU joining were also discussed.
Traian Basescu believes construction of Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline might be completed in 2014
President Traian Basescu said that concerning the interconnection of the energetic infrastructures of the Republic of Moldova to those of Romania, an important project is the construction of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline that might be completed around 2014.
'At this moment, being financially backed by the European Union we try to interconnect the energetic infrastructures of the Republic of Moldova to those of Romania and implicitly of the EU. We have various projects and I would not want to limit ourselves only to the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, because we rely on the power lines Falciu-Golesti and Suceava-Balti - these are new electric lines, for 400 kW, to be able to make a more rapid and better transfer of energy. Moreover, by increasing the capacities of our power lines, we shall succeed in interconnecting also a part of the capacities of providing power energy of Ukraine and Russia to UE and the other way around,' Traian Basescu told public Radio Romania News station on Thursday.
President Basescu stressed there is no political party in Romania adopting a different approach on the Republic of Moldova or not backing the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline project.
'In addition, there is also the project aiming to upgrade the Iasi-Ungheni railway, the project aimed at installing the optical fiber between Isaccea and Chisinau. The gas pipeline is not the sole project. When the issue of funding Romania's interconnection to Bulgaria and Hungary was discussed at the meeting of the European Council, we raised also the problem of the interconnections. Of course, it is a partial funding, of 50 percent, with the rest of the amount to be paid by Romania and the Republic of Moldova. At today's talks, I told President Timofti that out of the nonrefundable aid of 100 million, Romania is ready to fully cover the costs that have to be borne by the two states. At present, as regards this gas pipeline and the connection Falciu-Golesti and Suceava-Balti, the electrical connection, I can tell you that the feasibility studies are currently conducted,' the head of state also said.