Gas in Armenia is not cheap – Prime Minister

ArmInfo. Gas in Armenia is not cheap: on the way from the border to the consumer, compared with other countries, Armenia sees the most significant price increase from the standpoint of pricing. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during a briefing on September 11, answering journalists’ questions.

At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that Gazprom makes a substantial profit in Armenia. In the event of a possible increase in gas tariffs, the prime minister noted that Armenia would respond in kind—consider where prices could be raised, and a price could possibly be set proportionally for what had been free of charge.

<We need to discuss this calmly and in a working atmosphere. But regardless of anything, we will diversify our markets. If there is an opportunity to purchase gas from a second, third or fourth source, we will pursue that path. If there is an opportunity, within the framework of the TRIPP project, to lay a gas pipeline through Armenian territory and receive transit payments, we will pursue that path. We have an idea of what actions we will take in the event of any scenario unfolding>, Pashinyan said.

At the same time, he emphasized that there is no sector in the country in which Armenia will not pursue diversification, which stems from the authorities’ political decision to develop our independence and statehood.

It should be recalled that on April 4, Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan threatened that the country would leave the CSTO and the EAEU if Russia suddenly decided to raise the price of gas for Armenia. In this regard, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Konstantin Kosachev called the Armenian parliament speaker’s statements incorrect. He recalled that during talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a clear picture of the current situation: "energy prices, gas prices in Europe are exceeding $600 per 1,000 cubic meters, while Russia sells gas to Armenia for $177.5 per 1,000 cubic meters.  "It would be fair and honest for Armenian politicians to take into account the scale of Russia’s support for Armenia, rather than speculate about hypothetical changes in pricing policy," he concluded.