YEREVAN. – Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan had said that Armenia’s $155-million debt to Russia in terms of natural gas supply accumulated since 2011, 168 Zham daily reports.

“It became clear that the price of gas has in fact risen [in the country] since July 2011, but ArmRusGazprom [company of Armenia] continued to pay the old price. As a result, about a $300-million debt accumulated, half of which the Russian side has taken upon itself, whereas Armenia surrendered [its remaining] 20 percent [of the shares in] ArmRusGazprom, in lieu of its debt.

“[But], in reality, the debt (around $49 million) which is accumulated since April 2013 can be considered Armenia’s [debt] because the Government of Armenia stated that it will subsidize the gas [price] hike. But nothing has been announced about the debt that was accumulated from July 2011 to April 2013; this [debt] totals about $204 million, which has remained on the shoulders of the Armenian taxpayers.  

“What is more, the creator of this confusion is the Government of Armenia,” 168 Zham writes.