Moldova to audit debt to Gazprom until 2023 – deputy prime minister

CHISINAU, Aug 11 (PRIME) -- Moldova has signed a contract on audit that is to be finished next year of its debt to Russian gas giant Gazprom with Norway’s Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS and U.K. company Forensic Risk Alliance & Co, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu said on Thursday in his Telegram channel.

“The Public Property Agency has signed a contract on the procurement of services for an independent financial and legal audit of Moldovagaz’s debt to Gazprom and Factoring-Finance with companies Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS from Norway and Forensic Risk Alliance & Co from the U.K.,” he said, adding that the deadline for the audit is January 30, 2023.

Gazprom earlier estimated Moldova's debt at U.S. $440 million and $700 million with penalties. Moldova disagrees with the estimate.

Gazprom and Moldovagaz prolonged their long-term gas supply contract for five years in October 2021 after protracted negotiations. Gazprom said then it agreed to almost all Moldova’s conditions taking into account the situation in the country, but insisted that Chisinau make current payments in full and on time.

Gazprom also demanded that Moldova audit Moldovagaz’ debt to the company. The country’s government announced the auction in January 2022. The then-Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said in March that it fell through as no one agreed to come to Moldova due to the current situation in Ukraine. Gazprom also disagreed with conditions of the auction earlier as it considered them violating the October agreements.

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