ESCALATION OF CHISINAU’S CONFRONTATION WITH GAZPROM
https://doi.org/10.48137/26870703_2023_21_1_20
Abstract
The article examines the recent decisions of the Moldovan authorities, leading to the aggravation of the already difficult relations between Chisinau and Gazprom. First of all, they are related to the audit of the activities of Moldovogaz JSC, biased by the Accounting Chamber of the Republic.
A direct consequence of the report of the Accounts Chamber approved by the Moldovan Parliament may be an acute investment dispute between the main shareholders of Moldovogaz (primarily Gazprom) in connection with an attempt by the Moldovan authorities to claim allegedly «undervalued assets» of the company and to revise Moldova’s share in the authorized capital of the enterprise.
Chisinau’s declarations reveal not only Chisinau’s desire to restore the «historical truth», but also its intention to bankrupt Moldovogaz in order to take control of its gas infrastructure. It is obvious that experienced conductors in the form of the EU and the USA are behind the actions of the Moldovan authorities, but such a demarche of Chisinau may lead to a rupture of gas relations.
About the Author
S. Ya. LavrenovRussian Federation
Lavrenov Sergey Ya., D. Sc. (Politics), Professor, Head of Department on Moldova and Pridnestrov`e
7/10 b. 3 Bolshaya Polyanka str., Moscow, 119180
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Review
For citations:
Lavrenov S.Ya. ESCALATION OF CHISINAU’S CONFRONTATION WITH GAZPROM. Geoeconomics of Energetics. 2023;(1):20-33. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.48137/26870703_2023_21_1_20