Opening the meeting of the PMR Security Council, the President outlined two main issues included to the agenda - the functioning of the gas transmission system of Pridnestrovie, in particular, in case of shutdown or reduction of pressure in the transit gas pipeline, and measures to respond to the situation when commercial banks of Moldova close the current accounts of Pridnestrovian enterprises. Both aspects are significant for the life of the republic and the well-being of citizens, therefore they require adequate reaction to the circumstances and coordinated actions to prevent or minimize the consequences of emerging problems, emphasized Vadim Krasnoselsky. “In the event of a particular situation, each official, each service should know its place in the ranks, have a clear response plan. There are many problems and challenges. The main thing is to be prepared for them and in case of occurrence as soon as possible eliminate the negative consequences. The issue of transit of Russian gas concerns Russia and Ukraine to a greater extent, but it also affects us, so we must work out various options for overcoming the difficult situation. As for the accounts, closure by Moldovan banks is an element of direct political pressure that has nothing to do with the economy. In their comments on the reasons for the one-sided implementation of such actions, Moldovan banks are very unconvincing”, said the PMR President.
The action plan in the event of termination or change in the volume of gas supplies to Pridnestrovie was developed on the instructions of the President after previous Security Council meeting. Today it was presented to the country's leadership and colleagues by the Minister of Economic Development Sergei Obolonik. He noted that the authors of the document worked out several options. The proposed measures depend on the nature of the potential emergency. The developers step-by-step scheduled the preparatory measures and measures proposed for implementation at the time of emergency, indicating the officials responsible for each site. The main task is to provide the republic with energy resources. It is both about meeting the needs of the population, and about preventing technogenic collapse in the energy sector and industry, Sergei Obolonik emphasized. An important component of the plan is the formation of a material reserve for the possibility of providing citizens with heat even in the absence of gas (the Pridnestrovian thermal power industry today directly depends on the gas industry). The possibility of heat supply system converting to liquid fuel is being considered. The calculations indicate high cost, but the reality of the implementation of this measure. The price of the issue is 76 million rubles (excluding the current costs of acquiring the fuel). The difficult issue is the heating of residential premises in houses with individual gas boilers. The developers of the plan take into account the likely sharp increase in energy consumption in the absence of gas. A material reserve has been thought out to support the functioning of high and low voltage power grids. It is about the acquisition of power fittings and safety automation. The activities of MGRES was also mentioned. One of its blocks must operate even in the event of the station stop as a whole. According to him, this is enough to meet the needs of Pridnestrovians.
After discussing the presented plan, the participants in the Security Council meeting agreed that the document requires a detailed study. The PMR President allocated 10 calendar days to suggest possible adjustments. The government has been instructed to provide a reserve of funds in case of emergency.
The PMR Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev reported on the situation with the Moldovan banks closing the accounts of Pridnestrovian enterprises and the taken measures. He recalled that the first facts of the refusal to open accounts for Pridnestrovian business entities were dated June of this year. Then the accounts began to be closed under various pretexts. In early July, Pridnestrovie addressed not only Moldova, but also all participants of the “5 + 2” format, calling for an early search for solution. The PMR Foreign Minister recalled that today the situation has not improved, but, on the contrary, has worsened: according to Vitaly Ignatiev, refusals to Pridnestrovian enterprises are of an avalanche-like nature.
On September 6, the PMR President sent appeals regarding the problem to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev. Similar appeals were addressed to all mediators and observers in the negotiation process in the “5 + 2” format, the corresponding notes were handed over to the political representative from the Moldovan side.
The Moldovan position was first officially announced on September 10 in Chisinau - during an expert meeting organized at the site of the Russian Center for Science and Culture. There is no constructivism in this position, but the dialogue was at least started. September 12, the issue was discussed by political representatives. The Moldovan side has publicly acknowledged the existence of the problem, but continues to distance itself from its solution, blaming the responsibility for closing accounts exclusively on commercial banks.
The lack of information and the use of unverified information by the Moldovan side were revealed during the meeting of the expert (working) group on banking issues, held on September 16 in Tiraspol. As a positive point, Vitaly Ignatiev highlighted the fact that the National Bank of Moldova recognized the existence of the problem of closing accounts, as such, and officially stated that it has no complaints against Pridnestrovian enterprises.
It was noted during the meeting of the Security Council of Pridnestrovie, that the commercial banks of Moldova are interested in Pridnestrovian enterprises, as in clients with many years of positive reputation. It was also about the fact that the international community is closely monitoring what is happening.
On September 19, the OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger is scheduled to visit Tiraspol. The banking problem will be discussed at the level of the PMR President. In early October, the representative of the European Commission from the Department for Foreign Trade Petros Sourmelis plans to visit Pridnestrovie. The question remains open and is still extremely acute, members of the PMR Security Council noted, stressing that it will be considered settled only after the Moldovan side gives clear guarantees for the functioning of the banking system and the unhindered participation of Pridnestrovian entrepreneurs in it.
Returning to the political background of the banking problem and the long-standing practice of import-export cooperation between Pridnestrovie and dozens of countries, Vadim Krasnoselsky noted that he advocated an international audit. The text of the corresponding appeal is being prepared.
