The Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline between Romania and Moldova was opened on Wednesday.

Romanian Prime-Minister Victor Ponta, his Moldovan counterpart Iurie Leanca, and European Commissioner for Energy Günther H. Oettinger participated in the opening ceremony. Oettinger described it as "a historic day". He added that with this, Moldova is directly integrated into the EU gas market. "This will enhance its energy security and reduce its dependence from the only supplier it has now," Oettinger said in apparent reference to Russia.

The 42 kilometers long gas pipeline is the first which enables Moldova to get gas directly from the EU and international . The Iasi-Ungheni pipeline is the first stage of the project. With the construction of a compressor station in Romania and a 130 kilometers long gas pipeline between Ungheni and Chisinau, gas can be transported to the Chisinau region, the biggest gas consumer in Moldova. Once completed, the entire infrastructure project can cover more than half of Moldavian gas demand.

The European Commission has supported the construction of the Iasi-Ungheni pipeline with EUR7 million and has made available EUR10 million to extend the pipeline from Ungheni to Chisinau from the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument. Gas covers more than 60 per cent of Moldavian primary energy demand, and Moldova is currently fully dependent on imported natural gas from Russia. Moldova is a member of the Energy Community and has recently signed and ratified an Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.

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