MP Emma Khudabeshyan asked the RA defense minister, Serj Sargsyan, whether he had his part in the agreement on giving the fifth electric bloc of Hrazdan to Russia, to which Serj Sargsyan answered, “I have my part in all good things that happen in Armenia”. According to Serj Sargsyan there is nothing bad about that deal, “Russia has applied for many times to purchase the fifth bloc. We didn’t agree to do this in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 or 2005 because before that they insisted on their right to get back all their investments they would have to make within a couple of years. In that case we would have to either buy the whole production of the fifth bloc or pay for it, but it was out of our interests because we could buy energy for prices cheaper than they would offer. However, this time they did not insist on it and we agreed to make that deal. Yes, I had my part in that deal”. In response to the MP’s question whether he wasn’t afraid that this bloc wouldn’t be operated like the units and businesses given to Russia on the basis of the “property against debt” agreement, Serj Sargsyan said, “Those factories that we gave them didn’t operate then either. The fifth bloc doesn’t function now, it is not fully constructed yet, but according to our agreement they are to finish this construction and make it function. I don’t think that anyone will agree to invest $430 million and then freeze it”. Yesterday both Andranik Margaryan and Serj Sargsyan denied the rumors claiming that a part of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline had been given to Russia. “No, it has not been given”, said Andranik Margaryan.
