This is how the agency reacted to media reports about the purchase of this port by Romania as a fait accompli. As emphasized in the release, the company Danube Logistics, which manages the Giurgiulesti port, is a private company fully owned by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and possible negotiations on cooperation with the Romanian state in the field of port infrastructure operation are the subject of an ongoing commercial transaction.
“The Moldovan government cannot comment on further details at this stage as the process has not yet been finalized. But it guarantees that any deal concerning this strategic state asset will be in Moldova’s interest,” the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization stressed.
The day before, MEP Nicu Stefanuta said that Romania had already acquired the Giurgiulesti port in Moldova. He made this statement after a meeting in Brussels between a group of Romanian MEPs and Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.
Earlier, Romanian Transport Minister Ciprian Scherban said that Romania is very close to acquiring the Giurgiulesti port. According to him, Romania is negotiating the acquisition of this port in Moldova, which has a very favorable strategic position. “Theoretically, we are in the process of signing a contract. We negotiated with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, made them an offer and it was accepted. We were the winners and we will soon hold negotiations with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Moldova Vladimir Boley,” emphasized Ciprian Scherban.
According to him, there are a number of conditions that Moldova has to fulfill as well. “They will have to extend the operation term of the port, which is now valid until 2030. In order for the investments to be justified and bring profit also to Romania, we need guarantees that we will be able to operate it after 2030. They are open and will make this change as soon as possible,” said the Romanian Transport Minister.
Earlier it was also reported that the Romanian state company “Administration of Sea Ports” intends to invest more than 24 million euros in the development of infrastructure of the Giurgiulesti port. The Moldovan Council for Consideration of Investments Significant for State Security approved the preliminary request of the Romanian Seaports Administration to purchase 100% of the authorized capital of Danube Logistics, a private company owned by the EBRD, the general investor and operator of the Giurgiulesti port.
