I’m sure, we won’t face the same, as you formulate: Karen Karapetyan to Aram Manukyan
During a parliamentary Q&A with the Cabinet Aram Manukyan, ANC faction head, stated that he has changed 3 PMs and 4 Ministers linked to the issue of gas, and expressed trust that in the upcoming parliament he’ll again raise the issue.
He stated that last year the PM stated that from January 1 gas tariff will lower by 7 drams as a result of reduction of transit price of Georgia and gas consumption growth. However, according to the MP, in 2015 Armenia received 2 billion m2 gas, and in 2016—1.8 billion m2, i.e. consumption has reduced by 6.8%.
He asked whether transit payment from Georgia has reduced or not, also “Gazprom” announced on its not favorable financial condition, which is even considered critical, in this case how “Gazprom” will assume payment of gas tariff reduction—about USD 14 billion.
“We have touched upon increase of volumes as a result of tariff reduction, and not as a fact,” the PM said, enumerating the 4 factors he mentioned: improvement of gas transition, reduction of interest rates of service of the 2017 loan, reduction of our own expenditures, market response of a lower price.
He stated that “Gazprom is ready to subsidize the difference, which would appear in a year.
The PM introduced conditions of the agreement with Georgia: first USD 1 billion by 10% gas, and the next quantity is paid in dollars, which is lower, than 10%.
A.Manukyan stated that USD 1 billion comprises about 60% of the consumption in our country. He attached attention to the most important factor—migration, “You didn’t take into account that it doesn’t depend on your will, it’s the quantity of consumers that lowers—3-5% each year. Your calculations can’t withstand competition, no one can prevent this.”
A.Manukyan warned as “Gazprom” faces hard times, it’ll demand something instead of the USD 14 billion, “Are we ready to confront it, that our sad, bitter experience, that we have accumulated debt and instead gave power, that we won’t face the same?”
“I’m sure, we won’t face the same, as you formulate,” K.Karapetyan assured, adding that specialists of “Gazprom Armenia” and Center for Strategic Research can work with A.Manukyan.
By Gayane Khachatryan
