Russian capital plays important role in Armenian economy
25.08.2007,
03:42
The Russian capital plays an important role in Armenia’s economy, Michail Alexandrov, Head of the Department of the CIS Caucasus Institute, reported the kreml.org online magazine.
YEREVAN, August 24. /ARKA/. The Russian capital plays an important role in Armenia’s economy, Michail Alexandrov, Head of the Department of the CIS Caucasus Institute, reported the kreml.org online magazine.
“We’ have established a large-scaled economic cooperation. First of all, this is cooperation in the sphere of gas and electric power,” he said According to Alexandrov, Armenia’s energy sector belongs to Russia.
He pointed out that Russia participates in the building of a new gas pipeline from Iran which will supply Armenia with gas, as at present the gas stream comes mainly from Georgia. Alexandrov believes unstable relations between Russia and Georgia may cause problems in supplying Armenia with gas. “This is why Armenia needs alternative gas suppliers, and Iranian gas is give such opportunities,” he said.
According to him, Russia will participate in the project of reconstructing the Armenian nuclear power station. At present, Russia is actively involved in the sector of cellular communications in Armenia, as well as in the sphere of minerals, particularly, aluminum. The Russian expert said “Russian banks are properly introduced to the Armenian market.”
Alexandrov pointed out that the Russian capital has a lion’s share in the Armenian economy. In this connection, some “ill-wishers and grumblers say that Russia has bought Armenia”, he said.
According to Alexandrov, Russia follows the rules of free competition. “It is not Russia’s fault that no other country except Russia is interested in Armenian assets,” he said.
The expert believes if other counties were interested in those actives, they would compete for them, and the stakes would get higher. It seems that no one, including the West, is interested in those assets. This is why, only Russia can make investments in Armenia, the Russian expert said.
According to him instead of grumbling and complaining, Armenians should welcome the latest developments, like any other country would welcome large foreign investments in its economy.
Another important fact is that Russia is open to the Armenian business, Alexandrov said.
About 1.5mln Armenians live in Russia. They use all the economic capabilities in Russia, most of them being prosperous businessmen. It is a sin to complain that Russia purchases something in Armenia, the expert stated. According to him this is a mutually beneficial cooperation. Z. Sh. –0--
“We’ have established a large-scaled economic cooperation. First of all, this is cooperation in the sphere of gas and electric power,” he said According to Alexandrov, Armenia’s energy sector belongs to Russia.
He pointed out that Russia participates in the building of a new gas pipeline from Iran which will supply Armenia with gas, as at present the gas stream comes mainly from Georgia. Alexandrov believes unstable relations between Russia and Georgia may cause problems in supplying Armenia with gas. “This is why Armenia needs alternative gas suppliers, and Iranian gas is give such opportunities,” he said.
According to him, Russia will participate in the project of reconstructing the Armenian nuclear power station. At present, Russia is actively involved in the sector of cellular communications in Armenia, as well as in the sphere of minerals, particularly, aluminum. The Russian expert said “Russian banks are properly introduced to the Armenian market.”
Alexandrov pointed out that the Russian capital has a lion’s share in the Armenian economy. In this connection, some “ill-wishers and grumblers say that Russia has bought Armenia”, he said.
According to Alexandrov, Russia follows the rules of free competition. “It is not Russia’s fault that no other country except Russia is interested in Armenian assets,” he said.
The expert believes if other counties were interested in those actives, they would compete for them, and the stakes would get higher. It seems that no one, including the West, is interested in those assets. This is why, only Russia can make investments in Armenia, the Russian expert said.
According to him instead of grumbling and complaining, Armenians should welcome the latest developments, like any other country would welcome large foreign investments in its economy.
Another important fact is that Russia is open to the Armenian business, Alexandrov said.
About 1.5mln Armenians live in Russia. They use all the economic capabilities in Russia, most of them being prosperous businessmen. It is a sin to complain that Russia purchases something in Armenia, the expert stated. According to him this is a mutually beneficial cooperation. Z. Sh. –0--
