Moldova to enact state of emergency due to natural gas shortage

CHISINAU - Moldova will introduce a state of emergency in the energy sector due to a supply shortage of natural gas and the absence of a new energy deal with Russia's Gazprom, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu said on Wednesday.

Moldova wants to negotiate gas supplies from neighbouring Romania and Ukraine while hoping to sign a new contract with Gazprom by the end of the month, Spinu said.

"Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, we are scheduled to negotiate with Gazprom," he told a briefing. "We want to sign a contract for gas supplies from Gazprom on good terms for the population of Moldova," Spinu said.