Romania’s independence from Russian oil

Romania does not depend on Russian oil, Bucharest says

Daniela Budu, 06.12.2022, 14:00

Romania no longer relies on Russia’s oil, and the ban
on imports from that country, which took effect on Monday, will not affect us
because oil companies have identified alternative resources and are no longer
buying crude from Moscow. The announcement was made by the energy minister
Virgil Popescu at a press conference, in which he reiterated that Bucharest has
enough oil and natural gas reserves to see this winter through. Moreover, the
minister said, ever since last week oil companies and refineries in Romania
have only processed non-Russian oil.

Virgil Popescu: Romania has no natural gas supply problems,
and you may have noticed that it is gradually becoming a regional natural gas
hub. Gas is being taken via Romania to Moldova, to Ukraine and to Hungary. In
other words, Romania is on its own path, on the European path, it is a natural
gas producer and a future natural gas exporter and will ensure both Romania’s
and the entire region’s energy security. We have no gas supply problems this
winter as well. And Romanians must know that we have no problems in terms of
the oil reserves, of fuels, of natural gas and of electricity.

In turn, the general manager of the Transgaz
Natural Gas Transport Corporation, Ioan Sterian, vowed that there is
substantial domestic gas output and that Romanians have no reasons to fear they
will be left without resources this winter.

On the other hand, the shortage of firewood for
household heating was discussed on Monday in the Chamber of Deputies. The
environment minister, Tánczos Barna, was invited to Question Time by the AUR
party in opposition, to speak about the problems caused by the cap on firewood
prices, and to explain why the legal framework is unchanged although the ruling
coalition promised they would amend a previous government order. Tánczos Barna said
the government’s priority was to protect citizens, but admitted that the
effects of the emergency order were not as desired. According to Tánczos Barna,
the Romsilva National Forestry Corporation and private owners made available
this year over one million cubic metres of firewood more than in 2021. He also
added that the price of firewood varies from one region to another, which is
why it was capped at EUR 80 per cubic metre, and Romsilva also took measures
to ensure firewood for next year as well.

Tánczos Barna: We have put together an investment plan under
which we will create 178 new firewood storage facilities and will upgrade the 240
existing centres, operated by Romsilva. In the next 2-3 years we will have an
investment budget of over EUR 60 million.

The
AUR leader George Simion said the
minister failed to meet the requests for the emergency order to be amended so
that all citizens may benefit from firewood irrespective of where they live.

And USR party, also in opposition, accused the
environment minister of lacking the courage to take the right measures for
citizens, although the country has all the necessary experts and resources. (AMP)