Ponta is on a working visit to Chisinau. The two officials signed a joint declaration on developing the natural gas pipeline project.
At the end of May, the Romanian Government approved the construction of the pipeline.
Romanian President Traian Basescu said in early May that the Iasi-Ungheni pipeline project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2014.
The pipeline will carry 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas every year. Its cost is estimated at EUR20 million, with Romania’s contribution to amount to EUR12 million.
Romania’s natural gas imports come mainly from Gazprom, through intermediaries, at prices three times higher than those for locally produced gas. The Arad-Szeged pipeline, which connects to Hungary, has limited capability for the time being.