YEREVAN. – Armenian Premier considers the recently signed gas deal with Russia was successful.
Speaking during a media conference on Friday, Sargsyan said Armenia got the right to purchase gas on preferential conditions.
“Our citizens and business entities have the guarantee that rise in gas prices faced by Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine, will not affect them. The signed agreements set the rules of the game.”
PM Sargsyan pointed at numerous speculations around the agreements, as a result of which the very essence of gas treaty was in the shadow. He said the main point is that gas price in Russia will be formed based on Russia’s domestic prices, while 30% tax will not be applied.
“This was the essence of talks,” he noted.
Explaining why public was not informed of the negotiations in detail, Tigran Sargsyan said that the Armenian side could not accept the proposed tariffs offered by Gazprom that provided for double increase in gas price.
Over the past three years, a lot of different options were considered that would allow making the price increase not affecting consumers.
“The talks were completed this year, and we came to an agreement on all issues,” he said.
As a result of negotiations, Armenia and Russia have decided to divide the accumulated debt in half and make sure that this will not reflect the current supplies. So they decided to stop at 20 % of ArmRusgazprom shares.
Tigran Sargsyan stressed that economists can inform the public about options of addressing such issues.
“But all options showed that $150 million for 20% for us is, to put it mildly, a very acceptable option. Therefore, we have agreed to sell 20% of shares,” said the head of the Cabinet.
He assured that the sale of 20% of shares poses no threat. Asked why the deal was made for 30 years, Sargsyan explained that investors always reach agreements on long terms, as it comes to taxes, environmental standards. Prime Minister recalled that similar negotiations were conducted with the American company that purchased Vorotan cascade of hydro power plants.
