Moldova PM says separatist region must take steps to avoid new gas crisis- Moldova's pro-European prime minister said on Thursday the ex-Soviet state's separatist Transdniestria region had to fulfil several conditions or risk being plunged into a new energy crisis with power cuts and heating and water shortages. ngc.co.ttThe emergency gas supply extends only to February 10, when a new arrangement must take effect to ensure gas is purchased and delivered to the pro-Russian region. It has long relied on gas from Russian giant Gazprom shipped through neighbouring Ukraine, with Russia providing the gas free as "humanitarian assistance". Under the first stage of the plan now being implemented, 20 million euros of EU funds were used to buy gas for the region and 10 million euros to help government-controlled areas of Moldova purchase electricity from European suppliers. The gas rescue package devised by the EU has given rise to a new debate about how the separatist region could again become part of Moldova after more than 30 years on its own.