CHISINAU, April 24 (Reuters) – Moldova’s parliament voted to lift the country’s energy state of emergency from Saturday, which had been imposed after Russian attacks in neighbouring Ukraine knocked out a power line providing most of Moldova’s needs.
Moldovan officials have said that Russian attacks in March put out of action the Isaccea-Vulcanesti line, which carries power from Romania to Moldova, passing through 40 km (25 miles) of Ukrainian territory. The line provides up to 70% of Moldova’s electricity needs.
Deputies approved the lifting of the emergency measure, with 69 votes in favour in the 101-member chamber.
“The declaration of a state of emergency was not a whim. It was a carefully considered decision taken at a crucial, critical moment,” Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said.
He added that at the time, Moldova faced two serious risks – pressure on the electricity grid and disruptions in the fuel market.
Thanks to the measure, the government managed to avert a fuel shortage, he said.
Opposition parties, however, had earlier questioned its merits.
(Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Writing by Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
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