Nordic, Baltic states to work towards stepping up intl assistance to Moldova

TALLINN - In a joint statement today, Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers state that they will work with the European Commission and other key partners to be ready to step up international assistance to Moldova in light of Gazprom's decision to cease gas supplies to Moldova.

Gazprom's decision to cease gas supplies to Moldova as of Jan. 1 is aimed at undermining political and economic stability in Moldova, the foreign ministers said in their joint statement.

"We commend the Moldovan authorities for their measures to ensure stability in gas and electricity supply under these challenging circumstances," they said.

In their joint statement, the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland affirm that they will work with the European Commission and other key partners to be ready to step up international assistance to Moldova. 

"We remain firmly committed to supporting Moldova in managing the current energy challenges and in advancing the reform of its energy sector," the foreign ministers said.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that what is happening in Moldova now is another telling example of Russia weaponizing the dependence of other countries on gas supplies.

"This is why we in Europe must continue our efforts to exit from exporting fossil fuels from Russia," Tsahkna said.