A deal is described by the ex-Soviet state’s pro-Western president as a “positive precedent” despite a steep increase in price.

EDB is a regional development bank established by the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan in 2006.

Since late September, relations between Iran and Azerbaijan have deteriorated markedly.

Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest countries in per capita terms, is pressing for a renewal of that deal while pursuing any one of a number of alternative avenues to secure supplies.