“Price for Russian gas will not change until April 1, 2012,” Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Recourses Armen Movsisyan told at a press conference yesterday. According to earlier media publications, price for Russian natural gas in Armenia will go up making $210 instead of current $180 for 1000 cubic meters. As the head of Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) Robert Nazaryan stated on April 4, the gas price was among key issues on the agenda of talks between Armenian and Russian Presidents. “It was agreed that the tariffs will remain unchangeable,” he said, commenting on rumors about the impending rise in prices for the Russian gas. As the PSRC head noted, in case ArmRusGazprom and Gazprom sign a contract envisaging change of tariffs, it should be immediately submitted to the Commission. Gazprom also has a contract with Belarus and Moldova, according to which the price of gas for these countries should be defined based on European criteria just like in case of Armenia. Already this year they have announced that the gas will be sold to Belarus at 230 USD per 1000 cubic meter. And for Ukraine the price will be 280-290 USD. Despite yesterday’s statement of Armen Movsisyan there are stubborn rumors that Russia has nonetheless raised the price of gas for Armenia by making it 210 USD. Gazprom, however, keeps avoiding comments. In particular, yesterday as a response to the question of Tert.am from ArmRusGazArd they said that the matter of the gas price is in the commercial contract with Gazprom. “Armenia is ready to export electricity to Turkey whenever the Turkish government finds political will for the deal,” Armen Movsisyan told at the press conference. According to the minister, Armenia has appropriate energetic powers to export electricity to Turkey. Movsisyan believes that the deal will be concluded sooner or later. According to the latter Armenia increased consumption of electricity by 3.721 billion kV during the first six months of this year, which is 16 percent increase compared to last year. Domestic consumption of energy increased by 7.5 percent and the export increased by 63 percent. Compared to last year, Armenia’s population used 11 percent more energy. Armenian small and medium business sector increased the use of energy by 18 percent. He added that Iranian side is currently interested in Iran-Armenia oil pipeline. According to the Minister, Iran was initially interested in the project. However, unstable prices in the oil market temporary freeze the process. “Iran again shows interest in realization of the project,” Movsisyan told and added that project realization is directly connected to the international oil prices. The Minister stated that currently exploration works are allowed only in the territory of Syunik region. In case additional uranium deposits are found in Armenia, 5-6 types of investigations should be carried out before the actual process of drilling. Let us recall that Armenia used to have agreement with the Turkish Unit company on energy sale back from 2009 but it was never realized.
