ArmInfo. There is hope that Moscow will demonstrate understanding on the issue of gas prices for Armenia Ara Marjanyan, UN National Expert on Energy Issues expressed a similar opinion during the video bridge organized by the Hadvac3 club.
"In general, the proposal of the Armenian Deputy Prime Minister to start negotiations on reducing gas prices due to the negative impact of coronavirus on the country's socio-economic development is very rational and reasonable. Moreover, it is timely for both Armenia and Russia. It is based on natural justifications and reasons, "he said.
Commenting on the common position of Belarus and Armenia on the issue of gas pricing, Marjanyan considered this fact as completely natural. According to him, the behavior of Minsk and Yerevan is quite reasonable. The expert emphasized that Armenia and Belarus are "closed" countries, deprived of access to the sea, which significantly increases the threat of coronavirus.
Commenting on the statement of Gazprom Armenia, Marjanyan noted that, of course, it is based on reasonable grounds, which the company, of course, will present. Including the fact that over the past year the company has kept internal tariffs by reducing its own margin.
"It is clear that Gazprom has a corporate, egocentric interest. However, it is also clear that such a ''gift'' from Gazprom Armenia to Armenians under the conditions of coronavirus is simply inappropriate. In any case, I see the possibility of reaching a common interest and, accordingly, agreements for gas. I am also convinced that the decision on the future cost of gas should be long-term and it will take into account the possibility of price fluctuations in the future," Marjanyan said.
Last week, Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan sent a letter to Gazprom Chairman Alexey Miller with a proposal to begin negotiations to reduce gas prices due to the negative impact of coronavirus on the country's socio-economic development. At the same time, Yerevan offers Moscow the opportunity to pay in national currency, that is, in rubles. Armenia buys gas from Russia at $ 165 per 1,000 cubic meters, while Armenian consumers pay Gazprom Armenia $ 290 per 1,000 cubic meters.
The very next day, Gazprom Armenia CJSC published a release about plans to apply to the Public Services Regulatory Commission with a proposal starting July 1 to increase the tariff for subscribers who consume up to 600 cubic meters of gas per year who are eligible for family or social benefits, from 100 to 135.9 thousand drams. It is proposed to lower the price for subscribers using up to 10 thousand cubic meters of gas annually from 139 to 135.9 thousand drams.