The international economic crisis affected energy and gas consumption in Armenia, but the recent economic activity is most likely to have a positive effect on it, RA President Serzh Sargsyan stated at a sitting of the Nuclear Energy Security Council on April 27.

The President pointed out 5.5% GDP growth in the first quarter 2010. Speaking of the rise in the gas price from April 1, 2010, Serzh Sargsyan stressed that the RA Government objected to a rise in energy prices for social reasons. However, the Government decided to raise the price for the electric energy generated by the Armenian nuclear-power plant (NPP).

The Armenian President emphasized the diversification of the energy sector and Armenia’s regional energy integration. He pointed out that Armenia is actively working in this field under the EU Eastern Partnership program. “Armenia is closely cooperating with Iran, Georgia and Russia as part of regional energy integration,” the Armenian leader said. He stressed that the reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border would facilitate regional economic and energy cooperation. However, said the President, the process was suspended because of the Turkish authorities’ inactivity. But Armenia still hopes it will export its energy to Turkey and, through it, to the Middle East. In the context of regional energy integration, the Armenian President underlined the necessity for synchronizing the energy grids of Armenia, Iran and other states of the region. As regards measures to diversify the energy sector, President Serzh Sargsyan pointed out the construction of an Iran-Armenia gas main, a steam power plant at the Yerevan thermal power plant, as well as the construction of 400kwh electric grids in cooperation with Iran and Georgia.

T.P.