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Negotiations over price for Russian natural gas not connected with 2013 presidential elections in Armenia
YEREVAN, October 3. /ARKA/. Energy ministry’s negotiations with Russia over price for natural gas are not connected with the 2013 presidential elections in Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said answering lawmakers’ question.
“Price for natural gas is set in accordance with a particular formula, which implies that gas price may be driven up or down by market trends,” he said. “The negotiations have already come close to completion, and they are not connected with presidential elections.”
The premier said that the results of the negotiations and Russia’s arguments will be made public and discussed in National Assembly.
He said that gas prices change in accordance with the rules set by Russia. The matter is negotiated every year.
Earlier, Armenian Public Services Regulatory Commission Chairman Robert Nazaryan said that natural gas prices will be revised.
“I find it difficult to say something now, since there are many unsolved problems related to important price-making components,” he said.
President Serzh Sargsyan, who was in Russia on August 7 and 8, said after meeting there with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that the two countries had reached mutual understanding on Russia’s natural gas imported in Armenia.
The president said that it is necessary to take into account the real market price divided or multiplied by the necessity of providing Armenia with natural gas at prices which are in tune with regional prices with maintaining Armenian economy’s effectiveness.
According to media reports which emerged in early July, prices for Russia’s natural gas might increase on October 1.
It meant that 1,000 cubic meters were expected to cost $280 on border instead of the present $180, and starting from January 1, $320.
ArmRosgasprom CJSC, established in 1997, enjoys the sole right for importing and distributing Russian natural gas in Armenia.
Russia’s Gazprom OJSC holds more than 80% of the company’s shares, and the remaining shares belong to Armenian government.
Russia conveys its gas to Armenia through Georgia’s territory. -0-
21:00 03.10.2012
