Expert: There is hope that Moscow will demonstrate understanding on  the issue of gas prices for Armenia

ArmInfo. There is hope that Moscow will demonstrate understanding on the issue of gas prices for Armenia Ara Marjanyan, UN National Expert on Energy Issues expressed a similar opinion during the video bridge organized by the Hadvac3 club.

"In general, the proposal of the Armenian Deputy Prime Minister to  start negotiations on reducing gas prices due to the negative impact  of coronavirus on the country's socio-economic development is very  rational and reasonable. Moreover, it is timely for both Armenia and  Russia. It is based on natural justifications and reasons, "he said.

Commenting on the common position of Belarus and Armenia on the issue  of gas pricing, Marjanyan considered this fact as completely natural.  According to him, the behavior of Minsk and Yerevan is quite  reasonable. The expert emphasized that Armenia and Belarus are  "closed" countries, deprived of access to the sea, which  significantly increases the threat of coronavirus.

Commenting on the statement of Gazprom Armenia, Marjanyan noted that,  of course, it is based on reasonable grounds, which the company, of  course, will present. Including the fact that over the past year the  company has kept internal tariffs by reducing its own margin.

"It is clear that Gazprom has a corporate, egocentric interest.  However, it is also clear that such a ''gift'' from Gazprom Armenia  to Armenians under the conditions of coronavirus is simply  inappropriate. In any case, I see the possibility of reaching a  common interest and, accordingly, agreements for gas. I am also  convinced that the decision on   the future cost of gas should be  long-term and it will take into account the possibility of price  fluctuations in the future," Marjanyan said.

Last week, Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan sent a  letter to Gazprom Chairman Alexey Miller with a proposal to begin  negotiations to reduce gas prices due to the negative impact of  coronavirus on the country's socio-economic development. At the same  time, Yerevan offers Moscow the opportunity to pay in national  currency, that is, in rubles. Armenia buys gas from Russia at $ 165  per 1,000 cubic meters, while Armenian consumers pay Gazprom Armenia  $ 290 per 1,000 cubic meters.

The very next day, Gazprom Armenia CJSC published a release about  plans to apply to the Public Services Regulatory Commission with a  proposal starting July 1 to increase the tariff for subscribers who  consume up to 600 cubic meters of gas per year who are eligible for  family or social benefits, from 100 to 135.9 thousand drams. It is  proposed to lower the price for subscribers using up to 10 thousand  cubic meters of gas annually from 139 to 135.9 thousand drams.