Moldova may be next front in EU gas war

The European Commission said Thursday the people of Moldova aspire to a European agenda, one day after the former Soviet republic landed a Russian gas deal.

The European government ratified its association agreement with Moldova. European Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said from Brussels the Moldavian people long for the same freedom and stability enjoyed by other members of the European Union.

"Focus on the Republic of Moldova is important," he said. "The Republic of Moldova is showing determination to bring its European agenda forward."

The European Union has brought several former Soviet republics into its sphere. That has implications for energy security, as Eastern Europe serves as a bridge for Russian gas deliveries to the European market.

Ukraine's tilt toward the EU in November in particular had profound effects on the region. Russia sends most of its gas to Europe through the Soviet-era transit network in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Russian energy company Gazprom signed gas supply and transit contracts through 2015 with its Moldavian counterpart, Moldovagaz.

"The parties addressed the state and the long-term outlook for the Russian-Moldavian cooperation in the gas sector," Gazprom said in a statement.

Moldovagaz is a joint venture company set up between Gazprom and the Moldavian government.

For the enlargement commissioner, the association agreement represents a key step in integration with the EU.

"We have also shown to Moldova that the EU is a reliable partner when it is faced with unjustified external pressure," he said.