The Zhoghovurd newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes as follows, in particular: Drivers [in Armenia] woke up yesterday and saw that the price of liquefied gas [in the country] had increased by 30-40 drams. By the evening, a shortage of liquefied gas was observed at filling stations.

The Zhoghovurd daily had tried to clarify the issue of the increase in the price of liquefied gas and the shortage yesterday, asking questions to Gegham Gevorgyan, Chairman of the Commission for the Protection of Competition and Consumer Rights. We were interested in the reason for the increase in the price and the competitive problems of the [Armenian] market. One of the latter's reasons for the increase in the price was the fact that the [Upper] Lars [checkpoint on the border between Russia and Georgia] was closed.

At the end of the day yesterday, the price of liquefied gas [in Armenia] had gradually increased to 250 drams. Drivers were raising the alarm to the Zhoghovurd daily that if this continues, a [liquefied gas] deficit will be created [in Armenia], thanks to which Azerbaijani gasoline will be sold even easier and faster [in the country].

Experts claim that it is possible that an artificial deficit [of liquefied gas] is being created [in Armenia] so that Azerbaijani “political gasoline” can be sold [in the country] under the name of peace.

It should be noted that the RA imports liquefied gas mainly from Russia, partly from Iran and Iraq.