KYIV- Moldova, which has introduced a state of emergency in the energy sector due to a supply shortage of natural gas, now is receiving gas from Ukraine, Ukrainian state gas transmission operator GTSOU said on Wednesday.
Moldova's contract with Russian gas giant Gazprom GAZP.MM expired at the end of September and Chisinau has asked for an extension but balked at the price offered by Gazprom of $790 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas.
"In fact, they (Moldova) are now receiving our gas - according to the existing agreement on gas flows," the GTSOU head Sergiy Makogon said.
He gave no exact volumes which Moldova receives.
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.
"We are now looking, we are debating several solutions in close cooperation with the European Commission and very soon we will have solution," said George Niculescu, the Secretary of State of Romanian energy ministry.
He gave no additional details.
Moldova, sandwiched between Ukraine and EU member Romania, consumes 2.8 billion cubic metres of gas per year.
(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Editing by Louise Heavens) ((pavel.polityuk@tr.com; +380 44 2449150; Reuters Messaging: pavel.polityuk.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
