Chișinău, 19 February 2026 — Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu participated today in the Forum “Liberalization of the Natural Gas Market in the Republic of Moldova,” organized by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) in cooperation with the Energy Community Secretariat, under the project “Moldova Energy Independence and Resilience” (MEIR), funded by the European Union.

The event brought together suppliers, large and medium end consumers, experts, regulators, and public authorities, and was dedicated to promoting structured dialogue and strengthening a transparent, competitive, and functional market framework.

In his opening remarks, the Minister highlighted the importance of liberalizing the natural gas market for energy security, economic resilience, and consumer protection.

“The transformation of the natural gas market in the Republic of Moldova is neither a theoretical exercise nor an end in itself. It is deeply connected to our energy security, the resilience of our economy, and the way the state respects its consumers—whether households, public institutions, or companies. Diversifying supply sources and reducing dependence on a single supplier creates the foundation for a competitive and stable market,” the Minister said.

Diversification is not only a geopolitical achievement but also the foundation for building a competitive market, and competition is essential to achieve better prices, more flexible offers, and services adapted to consumer needs. Without real competition, the consumer remains vulnerable. With competition, the consumer gains choice, Dorin Junghietu emphasized.

The Minister also highlighted technical and institutional achievements that support market functioning: joining the Vertical Gas Corridor, access to gas exchanges, and registration of new suppliers, all of which provide alternatives, options, and competition. Looking ahead, the priority remains the integration of the Moldovan market into the regional and European natural gas market—a strategic step that guarantees security and stability.

The forum also included a Business-to-Business (B2B) session, facilitating direct interactions between suppliers and consumers, with a focus on large and medium non-household consumers, who account for approximately 55% of annual gas consumption. The event provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and building trust in a modern, transparent, competitive, and consumer-oriented energy market.