Zhoghovurd newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes as follows, in particular: Against the backdrop of continued economic pressures and restrictions [on Armenia] from the Russian side for about two months, the issue of [Russian] natural gas being supplied to Armenia continues to remain on the agenda, especially after the Russian side made warnings that in the event of certain developments, even a complete cessation of [natural] gas supplies to Armenia is not ruled out.

Yesterday, during a meeting [in Yerevan] with EU European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, [Armenian PM] Nikol Pashinyan stated that: “In the context of lifting the blockade, along with promoting transport connectivity, I attach importance also to expanding energy connectivity, including the construction of power lines and connectors with neighboring Turkey and Azerbaijan, which can contribute to both energy security and the green transition.”

In this tense situation, Zhoghovurd daily learned that the RA government has decided to launch inspections at Gazprom Armenia CJSC. In particular, the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of the Republic of Armenia is conducting monitoring in the company.

Zhoghovurd daily contacted the PSRC to find out what the purpose of the inspections being conducted is, whether they have any connection with the current situation, and what phase the work is at. In response to the Zhoghovurd daily’s inquiry, the PSRC reported: “In the period between June 19 and July 2 of this year, PSRC working groups are conducting annual monitoring, approved by the PSRC work program, in various branches of Gazprom Armenia CJSC, regarding the quality of service of in-house [natural] gas security systems.”

Thus, the PSRC emphasizes that the work being carried out is a programmatic annual monitoring and concerns the assessment of the quality of service of in-house [natural] gas security systems [in Armenia].

Nevertheless, the conduct of inspections at a time when economic tension in Russian-Armenian relations continues to deepen and worrying statements are being made about [Russian natural] gas supply [to Armenia] is highly noteworthy.