YEREVAN. – Armenia’s opposition Free Democrats Party (FDP) is confident that ArmRusGazprom Company’s plan to raise the Russian natural gas prices in Armenia is not accidental. 

Furthermore, this decision is that much an economic, but rather a political and a national security matter. FDP issued a statement with such content.   

“We are confident that by raising the price of gas this time, as well, the Russian party is attempting to apply pressure on Armenia for showing activeness with respect to the Association Agreement with European Union.

The hike in the gas price will leave a negative impact on the already dire socioeconomic condition of the Armenian citizens, [and] it will have a chain effect. Even the 30-percent subsidy, which the Armenian government proposed, will not help because it [i.e., the subsidy] likewise will be implemented from the budget, that is, again at the expense of the Armenian citizens. 

The Free Democrats Party calls upon the Public Services Regulatory Commission to turn down the petition [to raise the prices of natural gas in Armenia] by the ArmRusGazprom Company. Furthermore, the Armenian authorities are obligated to take steps to create and ensure alternative energy resources in Armenia.           

The current situation is a challenge for our state. And it is necessary to create a political system of governance that will ensure decoupling of business and politics, and form a new type of tax and legislative domain,” the Free Democrats Party statement also reads, in particular.