The European Commission criticizes Romanian socialist government’s ban on gas export. Moderate Romanian President in favor of EU energetic policy
A strong critic about gas export’s ban is leading the European Commission to a political war with Romanian government. As Natural Gas Europe reported on Friday 11/30, the European Commission denounced Romania’s government ban on gas export to other EU member states.
The moratorium has been justified by socialist Romanian government by the need to guarantee low gas prices to national industries and to the population. Gas export’s ban has been presented by the Ministry of Economy together with some liberalization’s measures in national energetic sector.
Romanian government’s ban contrasts with a European Commission directive which liberalize EU energetic market and gas commerce among EU member states. Moreover, the socialist coalition which controls the government and the majority of the parliament, contrasts President Traian Basescu decision to guarantee Romanian gas export to other EU countries.
According to European Commission directive, Basescu planed the construction of three pipelines - in order to unify Romanian Gas Transport System to the Bulgaria, Moldova, and Hungary’s one. Romanian government ensured the pipeline’s construction, but the political decision to ban gas exports creates a political problem with the EU.
Moderate President and socialist PM already challenged because of shale gas’s question. Basescu accorded concessions on shale gas studies in Romania to several Romanian, EU and US companie, in order to foster Romania’s and EU energetic dependence from Russia. On the other hand, Ponta banned shale gas studies, supporting ecologist movements and endorsing the necessity to strengthen energetic relationship with Moscow.
Matteo Cazzulani
