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Susceptible Moldova tightens up energy cooperation with Norway

Norway and Moldova on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to tighten up cooperation in the energy sector focused on securing supply in the eastern European country that is attempting to end its longstanding dependence on Russia.

The arrangement intends to promote and enhance cooperation in the field of energy; including however not limited to, energy transition and energy security, as well as to encourage brand-new financial investments in the energy sector.

Checked in Oslo by Norway's energy minister Terje Aasland and his Moldovan counterpart Victor Parlicov during a two-day state go to by Moldova's President Maia Sandu, it covers cooperation on a government, research study and private sector level.

A former Soviet republic and among Europe's poorest nations, Moldova is viewed as particularly susceptible to the consequences of Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine.

NATO-member Norway, which shares a border with Russia in the Arctic, has actually become Europe's leading gas provider after a sharp reduction in Russian flows.

It likewise offers financial support to Moldova through its multi-billion-dollar Ukraine help programme, the latter including 400 million crowns ($ 36.87 million) for the purchase of gas in 2023.

In the past, Moldova relied almost specifically on Russian gas under a deal with state-controlled Gazprom however stepped up diversity efforts in the wake of the Ukraine war.

The country does not presently buy gas from Russia but its breakaway Transdniestria area relies on its supplies

While Tuesday's arrangement discusses security of gas products. as one location of interest, the crucial focus is on renewable resource, electrification in addition to cybersecurity.

Moldova has actually currently increased the share of renewable energy sources in its electricity usage to 10.5% in 2023 from 3.6% in 2021, driven by wind and solar energy generation, according to official data.