Moldova parliament votes to end energy state of emergency

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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